: 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
Like those who purchased a digital copy of the film, the 4K and Blu-ray versions of Sinners will also contain bonus material including four production featurettes.
—
Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025
The House agreed on a $4,000 bonus deduction with similar eligibility parameters and duration.
—Medora Lee, USA Today, 21 June 2025
Utilize the bet365 bonus code WEEK365 to activate a welcome bonus for Cowboys-Steelers, where Pittsburgh WR George Pickens is one of the most popular picks to score a touchdown.
—Kevin McCormick, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025
But bonus points for its evocative Red Sea setting (even if it was actually shot in Mexico).
—Chris Nashawaty, EW.com, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for bonus
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Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025
The House agreed on a $4,000 bonus deduction with similar eligibility parameters and duration.
—Medora Lee, USA Today, 21 June 2025
Utilize the bet365 bonus code WEEK365 to activate a welcome bonus for Cowboys-Steelers, where Pittsburgh WR George Pickens is one of the most popular picks to score a touchdown.
—Kevin McCormick, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025
But bonus points for its evocative Red Sea setting (even if it was actually shot in Mexico).
—Chris Nashawaty, EW.com, 20 June 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 25 Jun. 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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