A bonfire is a large outdoor fire, built deliberately for celebration, warmth, or disposing of things.

Today, people gather around bonfires for all sorts of occasions. Schools might have a bonfire before a big football game, where students sing songs and show team spirit. Camping trips often feature bonfires for roasting marshmallows and telling stories after dark. On beaches, families build bonfires in fire pits, watching the flames dance against the ocean waves.

A bonfire is much bigger than a campfire. While a campfire might be knee-high, a bonfire can tower over your head, sending sparks spiraling into the night sky. The heat from a bonfire can warm you even when you're standing several feet away. Building a proper bonfire requires careful stacking of logs and kindling, plus attention to safety: you need an open space away from trees and buildings, and an adult should always supervise.

The word captures something special about gathering together around firelight. There's something almost magical about faces glowing in the flames, the crackle of burning wood, and the way a bonfire becomes the center of an outdoor celebration.