bonfire
Americannoun
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bonfires
plural
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a large fire built in the open air, for warmth, entertainment, or celebration, to burn leaves, garbage, etc., or as a signal.
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any fire built in the open.
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of bonfire
1375–1425; late Middle English bone fire, i.e., a fire with bones for fuel
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
On Saturday, a bonfire, from which almost 500 pallets were removed during the week, was set on fire beside a road in the Bogside area.
From BBC ● Aug. 16, 2026
On Milner Street in Belfast, firefighters dealt with a garage fire following fire spread from a bonfire.
From BBC ● Jul. 12, 2026
A man has died after he reportedly fell from an Eleventh Night bonfire in Belfast.
From BBC ● Jul. 11, 2026
It is not the first time Moygashel's annual bonfire has hit the headlines over its contentious displays.
From BBC ● Jul. 9, 2026
At midnight, the bonfire is ceremoniously lit, having spent the earlier part of the evening standing empty, appearing to be a simple sculpture of twisted iron.
From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern
Back home in Iowa, Marcus English said he’d probably be hosting bonfires or hitting up local pools in mid- to late August.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 8, 2026
Branches were draped with colourful ribbons and ritual wreaths, while bonfires blazed high, ready for the military brotherhood to gather around them.
From Barron's ● Sep. 2, 2026
“We’ve been burning our bonfires and our traditions for like forever.”
From Salon ● Aug. 11, 2026
Most Eleventh night bonfires pass without incident, but some are controversial due to their height or location, or because they contain symbols considered offensive.
From BBC ● Jul. 13, 2026
Beyond the sticky-sweet mounds of garbage, plumes of sharp-smelling smoke rose into the sky: bonfires from the human village, signaling the start of All Hallows’ Eve.
From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman
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