fringe benefit

noun

1
: an employment benefit (such as a pension or a paid holiday) granted by an employer that has a monetary value but does not affect basic wage rates
2
: any additional benefit
increased energy is a fringe benefit of regular exercise

Examples of fringe benefit in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But now, in the Trump White House, one member of the administration may be getting a whole new sort of fringe benefit — her own reality show. Benjamin Svetkey, HollywoodReporter, 21 May 2025 The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry lists hourly prevailing wages, before fringe benefits, around $30 for landscapers, $43.40 for general laborers, $46.50 for boom truck operators and $47.50 for pipe-layers. Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 6 May 2025 Maybe the Wii is just a fringe benefit of some other, bigger scheme. Keith Phipps, Vulture, 4 Mar. 2025 Some companies might stop offering certain or all affected fringe benefits altogether. Cheryl Winokur Munk, CNBC, 2 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for fringe benefit

Word History

First Known Use

1948, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of fringe benefit was in 1948

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Cite this Entry

“Fringe benefit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fringe%20benefit. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

fringe benefit

noun
: a benefit (as vacation, health insurance, or pension plan) given by an employer to employees in addition to pay

Legal Definition

fringe benefit

noun
: an employment benefit (as a pension, a paid holiday, or health insurance) granted by an employer that has a monetary value but that does not affect basic wage rates

More from Merriam-Webster on fringe benefit

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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