: 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
Proceeds benefit local charities through The Woman’s Club of Casselberry. 2 p.m. the second and fourth Sunday of the month, The Woman’s Club of Casselberry, 251 Overbrook Drive, Casselberry, $5 for 10 games plus two optional bonus games, 407-947-2747.
—
Joe Rassel, Orlando Sentinel, 4 Dec. 2024
Formal programs may include monthly awards, bonuses, or other incentives based on performance metrics.
—Mark Congdon, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024
The engine is also efficient, which is a big bonus for commuters.
CHANGE: Sound deadening
There is just too much noise permeating the cabin from the front end of the car.
—Mark R. Weaver, Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2024
Spend cards to claim routes, rack up bonus points for connecting specific destinations, and the person with the highest score at the end wins.
—Boutayna Chokrane, WIRED, 3 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for bonus 
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Joe Rassel, Orlando Sentinel, 4 Dec. 2024
Formal programs may include monthly awards, bonuses, or other incentives based on performance metrics.
—Mark Congdon, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024
The engine is also efficient, which is a big bonus for commuters.
CHANGE: Sound deadening
There is just too much noise permeating the cabin from the front end of the car.
—Mark R. Weaver, Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2024
Spend cards to claim routes, rack up bonus points for connecting specific destinations, and the person with the highest score at the end wins.
—Boutayna Chokrane, WIRED, 3 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for bonus
Dictionary Entries Near bonus
Cite this Entry
“Bonus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bonus. Accessed 18 Dec. 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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