: 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
Media companies and sports platforms are building creator partnerships around fan participation products, including fan engagement campaigns and popular comparison sites like Sportsbook Review highlighting betting bonuses tied to major sporting events.
—
Ian Shepherd, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
Chase Sapphire Reserve® Learn More On Chase’s site Chase effectively limits you to earning a bonus from the Sapphire Reserve once per lifetime.
—Kelsey Neubauer, CNBC, 30 May 2026
In addition, the home features a dedicated office space, as well as a bonus room which the famous couple utilizes as a playroom for their two children.
—Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 30 May 2026
But a disparity in bonuses compared with SK Hynix led Samsung workers to protest and threaten to strike for 18 days this month, before a deal was reached between the company and the union.
—Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 29 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for bonus
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Ian Shepherd, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
Chase Sapphire Reserve® Learn More On Chase’s site Chase effectively limits you to earning a bonus from the Sapphire Reserve once per lifetime.
—Kelsey Neubauer, CNBC, 30 May 2026
In addition, the home features a dedicated office space, as well as a bonus room which the famous couple utilizes as a playroom for their two children.
—Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 30 May 2026
But a disparity in bonuses compared with SK Hynix led Samsung workers to protest and threaten to strike for 18 days this month, before a deal was reached between the company and the union.
—Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 29 May 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 3 Jun. 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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