bonus army: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low/Very Low (primarily historical/educational contexts)Historical, Academic, Journalistic
Quick answer
What does “bonus army” mean?
A historical term for the group of approximately 43,000 World War I veterans, their families, and affiliated groups who gathered in Washington, D.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A historical term for the group of approximately 43,000 World War I veterans, their families, and affiliated groups who gathered in Washington, D.C., in the summer of 1932 to demand immediate cash payment of their service certificates.
Has become a symbolic term for mass protest by veterans, economic desperation during the Great Depression, and the forceful government response to such protests.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is predominantly used in American English due to its specific U.S. historical context. In British English, it would only appear in historical texts about America.
Connotations
In American discourse, it connotes a tragic chapter of the Great Depression, failed government promises, and the plight of veterans. It carries strong political and historical weight.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in modern British English; moderate recognition in American educational contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “bonus army” in a Sentence
[The] Bonus Army + [past tense verb: marched, gathered, demanded, was dispersed]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in history, political science, and American studies courses discussing the Great Depression, social protest, or veterans' affairs.
Everyday
Very rare outside of historical discussion or metaphorical allusion in political commentary.
Technical
Not used in technical fields.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bonus army”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “bonus army”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bonus army”
- Using it as a common noun (e.g., 'a bonus army formed' – only correct for direct historical reference).
- Misspelling as 'Bonous Army'.
- Confusing it with other veteran protests.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not immediately. Their 1932 protest was violently dispersed. However, their plight generated public sympathy and contributed to the political climate that led to the eventual passage of the Adjusted Compensation Payment Act in 1936, which paid out the certificates.
U.S. Army troops were led by General Douglas MacArthur. His aides, Major Dwight D. Eisenhower and Major George S. Patton, were also involved in the operation.
Yes, it is treated as a proper noun because it refers to a specific historical group, similar to 'Continental Army'.
It is remembered as a tragic symbol of the Great Depression's hardship, the struggle for veterans' rights, and the limits of peaceful protest. It is a standard topic in U.S. history education.
A historical term for the group of approximately 43,000 World War I veterans, their families, and affiliated groups who gathered in Washington, D.
Bonus army is usually historical, academic, journalistic in register.
Bonus army: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbəʊnəs ˌɑːmi/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈboʊnəs ˌɑːrmi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A modern-day Bonus Army (very rare, metaphorical)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of veterans asking for a cash BONUS, forming an ARMY of petitioners in Washington.
Conceptual Metaphor
A desperate army of petitioners; The government as a force against its own people.
Practice
Quiz
What was the primary demand of the Bonus Army?