: 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
Lockridge made his major league debut on my birthday, which is probably a bonus fact only interesting to me.
—
Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025
The second full bath has a private entrance from the second bedroom, but also an entry off the second floor hall, allowing it to be shared with the bonus room or fifth bedroom.
—James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 8 June 2025
If O'Malley doesn't win the bout, those who opted for this bet365 promo code offer will get back $200 in bonus bets.
—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 June 2025
The provisions include 100% bonus depreciation for equipment investment, immediate deduction of domestic research and development (R&D) expenses and looser business interest expensing through 2029.
—Shashwat Chauhan, USA Today, 7 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for bonus
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Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025
The second full bath has a private entrance from the second bedroom, but also an entry off the second floor hall, allowing it to be shared with the bonus room or fifth bedroom.
—James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 8 June 2025
If O'Malley doesn't win the bout, those who opted for this bet365 promo code offer will get back $200 in bonus bets.
—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 June 2025
The provisions include 100% bonus depreciation for equipment investment, immediate deduction of domestic research and development (R&D) expenses and looser business interest expensing through 2029.
—Shashwat Chauhan, USA Today, 7 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 13 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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