: 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 Florida Lottery site states game add-ons include Double Play for $1, a bonus drawing where players could win up to $250,000 using the same numbers (Double Play drawings are held immediately after Florida Lotto drawings).
—
Lianna Norman, Florida Times-Union, 8 Feb. 2026
The Senate’s bill would tie some community development grants from the Department of Housing and Urban Development to housing production, offering bonuses to local governments that accelerate homebuilding while reducing funding for those that fall behind.
—Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 8 Feb. 2026
Beyond the kitchen, the home offers a flexible and spacious layout with four true bedrooms plus a bonus fifth room that could function as an office, den, or guest space.
—Miriam Schwartz, Hartford Courant, 8 Feb. 2026
Veterans with Pro Bowl résumés may have playoff and Super Bowl appearance bonuses worth hundreds of thousands or even around $1 million, while younger teammates rely almost entirely on the standardized checks.
—Sydney Lake, Fortune, 8 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bonus
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Lianna Norman, Florida Times-Union, 8 Feb. 2026
The Senate’s bill would tie some community development grants from the Department of Housing and Urban Development to housing production, offering bonuses to local governments that accelerate homebuilding while reducing funding for those that fall behind.
—Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 8 Feb. 2026
Beyond the kitchen, the home offers a flexible and spacious layout with four true bedrooms plus a bonus fifth room that could function as an office, den, or guest space.
—Miriam Schwartz, Hartford Courant, 8 Feb. 2026
Veterans with Pro Bowl résumés may have playoff and Super Bowl appearance bonuses worth hundreds of thousands or even around $1 million, while younger teammates rely almost entirely on the standardized checks.
—Sydney Lake, Fortune, 8 Feb. 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 11 Feb. 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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