: 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
Plus-level members get all that as well as free shipping and deliveries on orders more than $50, early shopping hours, and bonus savings in the pharmacy, optical, and tire and battery centers.
—
Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 6 Oct. 2025
The administration has offered signing bonuses, student loan forgiveness and large salaries to those willing to join ICE.
—Juan Cordoba, Arkansas Online, 5 Oct. 2025
The album’s first-week sales were bolstered by its availability across four CD variants (one signed), four vinyl editions (one signed), two cassettes, and a deluxe digital download album with a bonus track.
—Keith Caulfield, Billboard, 5 Oct. 2025
In addition to the milestone, Swift announced today the addition of eight bonus acoustic tracks that will be spread out over four limited CD releases, which have been added to her website for the next 24 hours while supplies last.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 4 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bonus
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 6 Oct. 2025
The administration has offered signing bonuses, student loan forgiveness and large salaries to those willing to join ICE.
—Juan Cordoba, Arkansas Online, 5 Oct. 2025
The album’s first-week sales were bolstered by its availability across four CD variants (one signed), four vinyl editions (one signed), two cassettes, and a deluxe digital download album with a bonus track.
—Keith Caulfield, Billboard, 5 Oct. 2025
In addition to the milestone, Swift announced today the addition of eight bonus acoustic tracks that will be spread out over four limited CD releases, which have been added to her website for the next 24 hours while supplies last.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 4 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bonus
Cite this Entry
“Bonus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bonus. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share