The term bounty referred to a reward offered in exchange for the capture, or sometimes death of an individual. Bounty hunters were individuals who made a living out of collecting bounties.

The term «bounty» could also refer to the specific individual that was being targeted, for which the reward was offered.

Around the time of the Battle of Scarif, a bounty was issued for Mon Mothma, Chancellor of the Alliance to Restore the Republic.

Jabba the Hutt eventually became so irritated with Han Solo that he placed a bounty on his head of 224,190 credits. Luke Skywalker once had a bounty of 60,000 credits against him from the Galactic Empire for the destruction of the Death Star. This irritated Han Solo because, at the time, it was higher than his own Imperial issued bounty, which was 50,000 credits.

Following the Battle of Yavin, the Galactic Empire placed a bounty of 10,000,000 credits on the head of Princess Leia Organa.