: 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
As a bonus, the cotton bag is machine washable for easy cleaning.
—
Destinee Scott, Travel + Leisure, 22 Sep. 2025
This sign has among the best gardening skills, so Brown believes a tequila infused with herbs, vegetables, or botanicals (bonus points if these help cut down on food waste) would align.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Sep. 2025
Bet just $5 on any NFL Week 3 game to instantly unlock your bonuses.
—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Sep. 2025
On the flip side of A Fine Line Between Stupid and Clever is the bonus tome Smell the Book: An Oral History of Spinal Tap, where Marty DiBergi interviews Nigel Tufnel, David St. Hubbins and Derek Smalls.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bonus
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Destinee Scott, Travel + Leisure, 22 Sep. 2025
This sign has among the best gardening skills, so Brown believes a tequila infused with herbs, vegetables, or botanicals (bonus points if these help cut down on food waste) would align.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Sep. 2025
Bet just $5 on any NFL Week 3 game to instantly unlock your bonuses.
—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Sep. 2025
On the flip side of A Fine Line Between Stupid and Clever is the bonus tome Smell the Book: An Oral History of Spinal Tap, where Marty DiBergi interviews Nigel Tufnel, David St. Hubbins and Derek Smalls.
—Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 13 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 23 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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