Bribe means money or gifts given to someone to make them do something dishonest or wrong. When someone offers a bribe, they're trying to get special treatment or influence a decision they shouldn't be able to change. A person might try to bribe a police officer to avoid getting a speeding ticket, or bribe a government official to approve something that breaks the rules.

Bribes work by tempting someone to betray their responsibilities. A judge who accepts a bribe might rule unfairly in a trial. An inspector who takes a bribe might ignore safety problems in a building. That's why bribing someone is illegal in most situations: it corrupts the systems we depend on to be fair.

The word can also describe smaller, everyday situations, though usually in a lighter way. Parents sometimes joke about bribing their kids with ice cream to finish homework, but that's really just an incentive or reward since nothing dishonest is happening. A true bribe involves breaking rules or betraying trust for personal gain.

As a verb, to bribe someone means to offer or give that kind of dishonest payment or gift.