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
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The La Crosse Tribune reported at the time that though a cleaning crew hired to dispose of Gein's trash started a large bonfire on the property, the flames weren't close enough to reach the house. Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025 Carve flames into pumpkins and stack them in the shape of a fire pit, mimicking a bonfire. Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Oct. 2025 Aromas like pumpkin chai or caramel pecan take us to a cozy kitchen filled with baked goods and warm mugs, while woodsy notes like cedar, amber, or smoke pull us into forests or bonfires. Raquel Reichard, Refinery29, 1 Oct. 2025 Evenings ended with sundowners by the bonfire pit. Chris Schalkx, Vogue, 30 Sep. 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 10 Oct. 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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