bonanza

noun

bo·​nan·​za bə-ˈnan-zə How to pronounce bonanza (audio)
1
mining : an exceptionally large and rich mineral deposit (as of an ore, precious metal, or petroleum)
2
a
: something that is very valuable, profitable, or rewarding
a box-office bonanza
b
: a very large amount
a bonanza of sympathy
c
: extravaganza
channels planning all-day viewing bonanzasWilliam Borders

Examples of bonanza in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web For example, if an organization has a strong support base or is good at recruiting students to its ranks, the ability to direct where their fees are spent could result in a financial bonanza. Mary Jo Pitzl, The Arizona Republic, 24 Jan. 2024 For Miramax, which bought the movie after Harvey Weinstein caught its final screening at Sundance, the harsh rating turned out to be a PR bonanza. Thr Staff, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Jan. 2024 Overdraft fees have been a financial bonanza for the banking industry, with the CFPB estimating that banks collected $280 billion in overdraft fees in the last 20 years. Kate Gibson, CBS News, 17 Jan. 2024 Bank earnings kicked off on Friday with a bonanza of results from JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Citigroup and Wells Fargo. Ryan Dezember, WSJ, 12 Jan. 2024 When the annual live music bonanza rolls around this March, the dynamite duo will also join the lineup of performers. Lars Brandle, Billboard, 24 Jan. 2024 Recommended Community How Denver met a goal to shelter 1,000 people When the New York State Legislature voted in 2021 to legalize recreational pot, many foresaw a financial bonanza, with the state being second only to California in its potential market size. Simon Montlake, The Christian Science Monitor, 23 Jan. 2024 Sitting in front of Meiklejohn, on her screen, was a bonanza of leads, each just waiting for any actual criminal investigator with a handful of subpoenas to follow them. Andy Greenberg, Ars Technica, 18 Jan. 2024 The incentives in Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act have encouraged a bonanza of EV investments across North America, especially battery-manufacturing projects like Gotion’s. Chicago Tribune, Twin Cities, 11 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bonanza.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, literally, calm sea, from Medieval Latin bonacia, alteration of Latin malacia, from Greek malakia, literally, softness, from malakos soft

First Known Use

1825, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of bonanza was in 1825

Dictionary Entries Near bonanza

Cite this Entry

“Bonanza.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bonanza. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

bonanza

noun
bo·​nan·​za bə-ˈnan-zə How to pronounce bonanza (audio)
1
: a large and rich mineral deposit
2
: something that brings a rich return

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