: 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 formula gets bonus points for not feeling sticky, not traveling or feathering, and smoothing out lip lines for a plump, pouty effect.
—
Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
The major infusion of purse money and track improvements at Kentucky Downs has been a real bonus for the Thoroughbred racing circuit in Kentucky.
—Danny Brewer, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Sign up with the latest BetMGM bonus code NW150 in time for tonight's Buccaneers-Texans and Chargers-Raiders Monday Night Football games.
—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
The superstar, whose residency of shows this summer in Puerto Rico has brought pride, attention and big buckets of revenue to the island, has announced one more bonus show.
—Choire Sicha, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bonus
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Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
The major infusion of purse money and track improvements at Kentucky Downs has been a real bonus for the Thoroughbred racing circuit in Kentucky.
—Danny Brewer, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Sign up with the latest BetMGM bonus code NW150 in time for tonight's Buccaneers-Texans and Chargers-Raiders Monday Night Football games.
—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025
The superstar, whose residency of shows this summer in Puerto Rico has brought pride, attention and big buckets of revenue to the island, has announced one more bonus show.
—Choire Sicha, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bonus
Cite this Entry
“Bonus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bonus. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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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