coal mine

noun

1. a mine or pit from which coal is obtained.

Other Words From

• coal miner noun
• coal mining noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of coal mine¹

First recorded in 1605–15

Example Sentences

In other words, it would be wise to think of Mizelle’s ruling as a canary in the coal mine.

From Los Angeles Times

That doesn’t sit right with Terra Vance, whose father — “a real Vance,” she says — worked in the coal mines for 40 years; where he once snapped his sternum when a mountain collapsed on him.

From Los Angeles Times

Lord Deben served in former prime minister Margaret Thatcher's government when many of the UK's coal mines were closed and thousands of workers lost their jobs.

From BBC

“I feel like the patients down here are being treated like the canary in the coal mine,” Matt Dickson said.

From Los Angeles Times

Last year, an explosion at a coal mine in the northern city of Damghan killed six people, also likely the result of methane leak according to local media.

From BBC