coal mine

American  

noun

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

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Other Word Forms

• coal miner noun
• coal mining noun

Etymology

Origin of coal mine

First recorded in 1605–15

Example Sentences

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

This is a fraction of Britain’s 2.6 million total millionaires, but when the “smart money” is going that’s a canary in a coal mine.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 17, 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

The boys were coughing as if they had just emerged from a coal mine.

From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood