: 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
Yet his Cubs teammates voted him only a half share of their World Series bonus.
—
Literary Hub, 8 June 2026
Signing bonuses, in particular, are often prorated over multiple years for salary cap purposes, which is why the timing of a trade can matter.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026
As luxury linen has moved into the mainstream to become one of the softest bedding options, a major bonus is that a far more appealing range of price points and color options are now dominating the market.
—Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 6 June 2026
Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card Earn 90,000 bonus miles after spending $6,000 in purchases on your new card in your first six months of card membership.
—Sarah Hostetler, CNBC, 5 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for bonus
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Literary Hub, 8 June 2026
Signing bonuses, in particular, are often prorated over multiple years for salary cap purposes, which is why the timing of a trade can matter.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026
As luxury linen has moved into the mainstream to become one of the softest bedding options, a major bonus is that a far more appealing range of price points and color options are now dominating the market.
—Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 6 June 2026
Delta SkyMiles® Gold Business American Express Card Earn 90,000 bonus miles after spending $6,000 in purchases on your new card in your first six months of card membership.
—Sarah Hostetler, CNBC, 5 June 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 8 Jun. 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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