canary bird
The 'canary bird' is renowned for its vibrant colors and melodious song, with various symbolic meanings in different contexts.
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Definition
B2Biology
(common)A small songbird from the finch family, known for its bright yellow feathers and pleasant singing.
Example
- The canary bird's song filled the room with a cheerful melody.
- Many people keep a canary bird as a pet because of its beautiful appearance and song.
C1Mining
(idiomatic)A warning sign of potential danger, based on the practice of using canaries to detect toxic gases in coal mines.
Example
- The sudden drop in sales was the canary bird for the company's financial troubles.
- Environmentalists see the dying coral reefs as the canary bird for climate change.
C2Slang
(informal)A term used to refer to a prisoner or someone who has been in jail.
Example
- He was a notorious canary bird, known by everyone in the neighborhood.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "canary bird":
miner's canaryhairy canarybower birdhave a birdrare birdcat that ate the canarydead birdmaya birdcall birdperching birdbird of paradisenight bird