watchdog

1 of 2

noun

watch·​dog ˈwäch-ˌdȯg How to pronounce watchdog (audio)
ˈwȯch-
1
: a dog kept to guard property
2
: one that guards against loss, waste, theft, or undesirable practices

watchdog

2 of 2

verb

watchdogged; watchdogging; watchdogs

transitive verb

: to act as a watchdog for

Examples of watchdog in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Kirkbride told the Columbus Dispatch − a part of the USA TODAY Network − that he is disturbed by Trump firing over a dozen inspectors general who act as independent watchdogs on the federal government. James Powel, USA TODAY, 19 Feb. 2025 What do a progressive ice cream mogul and a leader at a libertarian-leaning government watchdog have in common? Matt Robison, Newsweek, 18 Feb. 2025 On Sunday, White House lawyers asked the justices to allow Trump to fire the head of an independent watchdog agency. Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 18 Feb. 2025 But the number of food recalls isn’t the best gauge of the safety of the US food supply, said Teresa Murray, director of the consumer watchdog program with the Public Interest Research Group, or PIRG. Deidre McPhillips, CNN, 18 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for watchdog 

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1612, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1902, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of watchdog was in 1612

Dictionary Entries Near watchdog

Cite this Entry

“Watchdog.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/watchdog. Accessed 23 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

watchdog

noun
watch·​dog
ˈwäch-ˌdȯg,
ˈwȯch-
1
: a dog kept to guard property
2
: one that guards against loss, waste, theft, or dishonesty

More from Merriam-Webster on watchdog

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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