: 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
Samsung's management has offered to allocate 10% of operating profit to bonuses and provide a one-time special compensation package, according to South Korean news agency Yonhap.
—
Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 18 May 2026
In 2024, Samsung paid no performance bonuses at all after the chip unit posted operating losses throughout the memory downturn.
—Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 17 May 2026
But production beyond greater Toronto has emerged as a welcome buffer, with regional bonus incentives, cheaper labor and a diverse array of iconic locations helping the province weather Hollywood’s pullback.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 17 May 2026
The Fight of the Night was the co-main event featherweight war between Choi Doo-ho and Daniel Santos, with both fighters cashing the $100K bonus.
—Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for bonus
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Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 18 May 2026
In 2024, Samsung paid no performance bonuses at all after the chip unit posted operating losses throughout the memory downturn.
—Catherina Gioino, Fortune, 17 May 2026
But production beyond greater Toronto has emerged as a welcome buffer, with regional bonus incentives, cheaper labor and a diverse array of iconic locations helping the province weather Hollywood’s pullback.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 17 May 2026
The Fight of the Night was the co-main event featherweight war between Choi Doo-ho and Daniel Santos, with both fighters cashing the $100K bonus.
—Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 17 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 20 May. 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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