canary in the coalmine

A form of canary in a coal mine — Something whose sensitivity to adverse conditions makes it a useful early indicator of such conditions; something which warns of the coming of a greater danger or trouble by a deterioration in its health or welfare.

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Meanings

nouncanary in the coalmine (plural canaries in the coalmine or canaries in the coalmines)

plural canaries in the coalmine · plural canaries in the coalmines

  1. alternativeAlternative form of canary in a coal mine.
Cite this entry
APA

canary in the coalmine. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/canary%20in%20the%20coalmine

MLA

“canary in the coalmine.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/canary%20in%20the%20coalmine. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “canary in the coalmine,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/canary%20in%20the%20coalmine.

Source: canary in the coalmine on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.