fringe benefit

noun

1

: an employment benefit (such as a pension or a paid holiday) granted by an employer that has a monetary value but does not affect basic wage rates

2

: any additional benefit

increased energy is a fringe benefit of regular exercise

Examples of fringe benefit in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But now, in the Trump White House, one member of the administration may be getting a whole new sort of fringe benefit — her own reality show. —Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 21 May 2025

The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry lists hourly prevailing wages, before fringe benefits, around $30 for landscapers, $43.40 for general laborers, $46.50 for boom truck operators and $47.50 for pipe-layers. —Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 6 May 2025

Maybe the Wii is just a fringe benefit of some other, bigger scheme. —Keith Phipps, Vulture, 4 Mar. 2025

Some companies might stop offering certain or all affected fringe benefits altogether. —Cheryl Winokur Munk, CNBC, 2 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1948, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

fringe benefit

noun

: a benefit (as vacation, health insurance, or pension plan) given by an employer to employees in addition to pay

Legal Definition

fringe benefit

noun

: an employment benefit (as a pension, a paid holiday, or health insurance) granted by an employer that has a monetary value but that does not affect basic wage rates