: 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
The second bonus is $1 million if Burns appears in more than 70 games in 2025-26, and averages more than 23 minutes of ice time.
—
Carol Schram, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Add herbs like rosemary or mint for a bonus fragrance and to incorporate more of your garden.
—Lauren Thomann, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 July 2025
Most recently, the 25-year-old Brazilian defeated Justin Tafa in February of this year via TKO (knee to the body and elbow), an impressive victory for Teixeira in a result that earned him a Performance of the Night bonus.
—Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 July 2025
Amenities: Expansive courtyard, homemade breakfast, work areas in each room, communal honesty bar, in-room spa treatments
Editor’s tip: As a bonus for guests who’d like to host a dinner at the hotel, the property can arrange a private dining experience with chef John Bertrand of Brick Hotel.
—Michaela Trimble, Vogue, 13 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for bonus
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Carol Schram, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Add herbs like rosemary or mint for a bonus fragrance and to incorporate more of your garden.
—Lauren Thomann, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 July 2025
Most recently, the 25-year-old Brazilian defeated Justin Tafa in February of this year via TKO (knee to the body and elbow), an impressive victory for Teixeira in a result that earned him a Performance of the Night bonus.
—Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 July 2025
Amenities: Expansive courtyard, homemade breakfast, work areas in each room, communal honesty bar, in-room spa treatments
Editor’s tip: As a bonus for guests who’d like to host a dinner at the hotel, the property can arrange a private dining experience with chef John Bertrand of Brick Hotel.
—Michaela Trimble, Vogue, 13 July 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 30 Jul. 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
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