canary
[kuh-nair-ee]
- any of several Old World finches of the genus Serinus, especially S. canaria (common canary), native to the Canary Islands and often kept as a pet, in the wild being greenish with brown streaks above and yellow below and in domesticated varieties usually bright yellow or pale yellow.
- Also called canary yellow. a light, clear yellow color.
- Slang. informer(def 1).
- Slang. a female singer, especially with a dance band.
- a sweet white wine of the Canary Islands, resembling sherry.
- a yellow diamond.
Show More
- having the color canary.
Show More
Origin of canary
1585–95; < Spanish (Isla) Canaria < Latin Canāria (insula) Dog (Island), equivalent to can(is) dog + -āria, feminine of -ārius -ary
Canary Islands
- a group of mountainous islands in the Atlantic Ocean, near the NW coast of Africa, comprising two provinces of Spain. 2894 sq. mi. (7495 sq. km).
Show More
Also called Ca·nar·ies.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for canary
Contemporary Examples
“This is not a judgment of guilt, nor is it a suspension of any other canonical penalty,” Canary wrote.
The aforementioned stories may very well be legitimate, but let's consider them a sort of canary in the coal mine.
As has often been the case with issues of LGBT equality, this vote is the canary in the coalmine.
Since retail can be the canary in the coal mine for the broader economy, there's real reason to be anxious.
And what if they're only the canary in the coal mine for doctors and MBAs and government workers?
Historical Examples
Dick, the property of Aunt Judith, was a canary of thoughtful temperament.
The Slave Of The LampHenry Seton Merriman
I have a flower garden of my own, and two pets—a canary named Phil, and a cat.
I have a canary, and my brother and I had a pair of squirrels, but one died.
I haven't had a canary since I was a girl in my father's house.
Mary Rose of MifflinFrances R. Sterrett
"He can't steal her canary for she hasn't one," muttered Bob Strahan.
Mary Rose of MifflinFrances R. Sterrett
canary
- a small finch, Serinus canaria, of the Canary Islands and Azores: a popular cagebird noted for its singing. Wild canaries are streaked yellow and brown, but most domestic breeds are pure yellow
- See canary yellow
- Australian history a convict
- archaic a sweet wine from the Canary Islands similar to Madeira
Show More
Word Origin
C16: from Old Spanish canario of or from the Canary Islands
Canary Islands
Canaries
- a group of mountainous islands in the Atlantic off the NW coast of Africa, forming an Autonomous Community of Spain. Pop: 1 944 700 (2003 est)
Show More
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for canary
n.
type of small songbird, 1650s (short for Canary-bird, 1570s), from French canarie, from Spanish canario "canary bird," literally "of the Canary Islands," from Latin Insula Canaria "Canary Island," largest of the Fortunate Isles, literally "island of dogs" (canis, genitive canarius; see canine (n.)), so called because large dogs lived there. The name was extended to the whole island group (Canariæ Insulæ) by the time of Arnobius (c.300). As a type of wine (from the Canary Islands) from 1580s.
Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Idioms and Phrases with canary
canary
see look like the cat that ate the canary.
Show More
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.