earnout
noun[C]
FINANCE(alsoearn-out)uk/ˈɜːnaʊt/usanamountofmoneypaidto thesellerof acompanyinadditionto thepricethat wasagreed, often because thecompanyhasperformedwell:
Thefounderand hisfamilywill get apossibleearnout of up to £3m.
Thecompanywill need toconservecashthisyearfor the last ofitsearn-outpaymentson 1980s acquisitions.