The Scripps National Spelling Bee is an annual competition held in the United States, where students from across the country compete to spell a wide range of words. Participants, typically aged 8 to 14, qualify through local and regional bees before advancing to the national level. The event showcases their spelling skills and promotes literacy among young people. Founded in 1925, the bee has grown in popularity and is broadcast on television, attracting a large audience. Contestants are judged on their ability to spell words correctly, often with the help of definitions, language of origin, and usage in sentences.