bounty

noun

boun·​ty ˈbau̇n-tē 

plural bounties

1

: something that is given generously

nature's bounty

2

: liberality in giving : generosity

3

: yield especially of a crop

this summer's bounty of tomatoes

4

: a reward, premium, or subsidy especially when offered or given by a government: such as

a

: an extra allowance to induce entry into the armed services

b

: a grant to encourage an industry

c

: a payment to encourage the destruction of noxious animals

a bounty on coyotes

d

: a payment for the capture of or assistance in the capture of an outlaw

had a bounty of $500 on his head

Synonyms

• price
• reward

Examples of bounty in a Sentence

summer's bounty of plump tomatoes

The cottage is filled with a bounty of fresh flowers.

Recent Examples on the Web

Get The Recipe Old-School Squash Casserole This classic squash casserole is the perfect way to use up a bounty of in-season squash. —Symiah Dorsey, Southern Living, 2 May 2025

Whether in roles like production, transportation, logistics and sales, research and development, or food safety and science, the sector offers a bounty of opportunities for individuals of all skill sets and backgrounds. —Eric Dell, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025

Or perhaps the first other for the settlers was the vast land itself, promising bounty and threatening disaster. —Viet Thanh Nguyễn, Time, 28 Apr. 2025

In addition to setting a bounty of rushing records at each of his stops, Skattebo threw touchdown passes, caught passes for scores and punted, sometimes all in the same game. —Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 26 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English bounte goodness, from Anglo-French bunté, bountee, from Latin bonitat-, bonitas, from bonus good, from Old Latin duenos; akin to Sanskrit duva reverence, favor

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing bounty

• bounty hunter

Rhymes for bounty

• county

Kids Definition

bounty

noun

boun·​ty ˈbau̇nt-ē 

plural bounties

1

a

: generosity sense 1

b

: something given generously

2

: money given as a reward (as for killing a harmful animal or capturing a criminal)

Etymology

Middle English bounte "goodness," from early French bunté (same meaning), derived from Latin bonus "good" — related to bonus

Legal Definition

bounty

noun

boun·​ty ˈbau̇n-tē 

plural bounties

1

: generosity in bestowing gifts especially by will

2

: a reward, premium, or subsidy especially offered by a government