watchdog

1 of 2

noun

watch·​dog ˈwäch-ˌdȯg 

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

Noun

Government watchdogs and the arms control community have criticized the NNSA's plans over squishy cost estimates and repeatedly sliding timelines. —Davis Winkie, USA Today, 29 Aug. 2025

And in another, the consumer watchdog agency is returning money to almost 1,000 homeowners swindled by door-to-door contractors pitching a home improvement financing scam. —Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2025

Andy Shaw is not only a lifelong Sox fan but also a semi-retired Chicago journalist and good government watchdog. —Andy Shaw, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2025

Iran said on August 29 the decision by European powers to trigger a mechanism reimposing sanctions under a moribund 2015 nuclear deal would undermine Tehran's cooperation with the United Nations nuclear watchdog. —Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1612, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1902, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for watchdog

• agog
• backlog
• bulldog
• bullfrog
• eclogue
• eggnog
• groundhog
• hedgehog
• leapfrog
• prolog
• sheepdog
• analog

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