: something in addition to what is expected or strictly due: such as
a
: money or an equivalent given in addition to an employee's usual compensation
b
: a premium (as of stock) given by a corporation to a purchaser of its securities, to a promoter, or to an employee
c
: a government payment to war veterans
d
: a sum in excess of salary given to an athlete for signing with a team
Examples of bonus in a Sentence
As a bonus for good behavior you can stay up late.
The product has the added bonus of providing extra vitamins.
Staff members were given a bonus for finishing the project on schedule.
The company offered bonuses to entice new workers.
We receive annual bonuses at the end of the year.
Recent Examples on the Web
Its stunning look is just a bonus!
—
Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 26 Apr. 2026
First, there are the big-name athletes to find and woo into competing on the streets of the UK’s capital, then the pace-makers, the notable debutants, and the tantalising head-to-heads to create; there’s the hotel bookings, the visas, the flights, the prize money and even bonuses to ponder over.
—Liam Tharme, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
There will be no Platinum Tour this year, which would feature a seventh bonus garden, lunch and buses to transport participants.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Apr. 2026
The team added Rizy as a priority free agent with a $5,000 signing bonus.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bonus
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Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 26 Apr. 2026
First, there are the big-name athletes to find and woo into competing on the streets of the UK’s capital, then the pace-makers, the notable debutants, and the tantalising head-to-heads to create; there’s the hotel bookings, the visas, the flights, the prize money and even bonuses to ponder over.
—Liam Tharme, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
There will be no Platinum Tour this year, which would feature a seventh bonus garden, lunch and buses to transport participants.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Apr. 2026
The team added Rizy as a priority free agent with a $5,000 signing bonus.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bonus
Cite this Entry
“Bonus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bonus. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
bonus
noun
bo·nus
ˈbō-nəs 
: something given to somebody (as a worker) in addition to what is usual or owed
Etymology
from Latin bonus "good" — related to bona fide, bonbon, boon entry 2, bounty
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