bonfire

noun

bon·​fire ˈbän-ˌfī(-ə)r How to pronounce bonfire (audio)
: a large fire built in the open air

Examples of bonfire 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.
Lakeside living may bring to mind images of cabins and bonfires. Tori Latham, Robb Report, 5 May 2025 Between the beach bonfire and this choice of dinner theme, these guests have some of the best taste of the season. Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 29 Apr. 2025 Authorities in New Jersey arrested 19-year-old Joseph Kling of Ocean Township and charged him with arson for allegedly causing the fire after leaving a bonfire improperly extinguished. Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 24 Apr. 2025 Visually, Zawada used black-and-white mid-century footage from Manchester – kids digging holes, smashing windows, lighting bonfires – and spliced it together with colorful claymation clips from decades ago. Eric Renner Brown, Billboard, 7 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for bonfire

Word History

Etymology

Middle English bonefire a fire of bones, from bon bone + fire

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bonfire was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bonfire.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bonfire. Accessed 28 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

bonfire

noun
bon·​fire ˈbän-ˌfī(ə)r How to pronounce bonfire (audio)
: a large outdoor fire

More from Merriam-Webster on bonfire

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