1. a large outdoor fire, especially one lit as a signal or for celebration
Usage: archaic

Examples

• The villagers lit a balefire on the hilltop to warn of approaching danger.
• Ancient tribes used balefires to communicate across great distances.
• The balefire burned brightly against the night sky.
• They gathered wood all day to build the ceremonial balefire.
• From the castle walls, they could see the balefire blazing on the distant mountain.