: 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
Synonyms
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
Still advancing, however, is a bill by Assemblymember David Alvarez, D-San Diego, for developer density bonuses in the coastal zone allowing the construction of more units if some are designated for low-income residents.
—
Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 May 2024
And the employee who dropped a friend’s name collects a cash bonus.
—Jessica Guynn, USA TODAY, 2 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for bonus 
Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 May 2024
And the employee who dropped a friend’s name collects a cash bonus.
—Jessica Guynn, USA TODAY, 2 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for bonus
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bonus.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near bonus
Cite this Entry
“Bonus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bonus. Accessed 8 May. 2024.
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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