coal mine
Americannoun
Other Word Forms
- coal miner noun
- coal mining noun
Etymology
Origin of coal mine
First recorded in 1605–15
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.
The small-cap benchmark has been a canary in a coal mine ahead of U.S. recessions, but one also prone to dying of natural causes.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026
"There is a canary in the coal mine here," he said.
From BBC • Jan. 30, 2026
First Brands filed for bankruptcy protection last year; it may be the canary in the coal mine.
From Barron's • Jan. 23, 2026
There is also growing concern within the House Republican caucus that Greene’s announcement is a canary in the coal mine and that multiple resignations will follow.
From Salon • Dec. 29, 2025
It was like Id been unearthed from a coal mine after being trapped for days and days.
From "100 Sideways Miles" by Andrew Smith
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
