canary in the coal mine

noun phrase

: the first sign of trouble : something serving as an early warning or indication

Measles is very contagious, and so the wastewater itself is just our canary in the coal mine, as it were, telling us that measles is in the community.—Christine Hahn

The sneaker resale market's struggles may be a canary in the coal mine for broader economic concerns.—Stacy Fernandez

Crocuses, being more sensitive than trees or shrubs, act as canaries in the coal mine for spring shifts.—Lionel Smith

Examples of canary in the coal mine in a Sentence

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For Dan Greenhaus, strategist at Solus Alternative Asset Management, CoreWeave isn’t a canary in the coal mine that signals the AI bust is imminent. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

from the former practice of keeping a caged canary in a coal mine on the assumption that the bird would be affected early by carbon monoxide or other toxic gases

First Known Use

1920, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of canary in the coal mine was in 1920

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canary grass

canary in the coal mine

Canary Island bellflower

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Style

“Canary in the coal mine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/canary%20in%20the%20coal%20mine. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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canary in the coal mine

noun phrase

Examples of canary in the coal mine in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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