watchdog
Americannoun
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watchdogs
plural
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a dog kept to guard property.
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a watchful guardian.
a self-appointed watchdog of the public morals.
adjective
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of, relating to, or characteristic of a watchdog.
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organized or functioning as a watchful guardian, especially against illegal or unethical conduct.
a watchdog group in the legislature.
verb (used with object)
noun
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a dog kept to guard property
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a person or group of persons that acts as a protector or guardian against inefficiency, illegal practices, etc
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( as modifier )
a watchdog committee
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Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of watchdog
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
On Monday, a Justice Department internal watchdog announced a review of this controversial tactic, which may have resulted in overdose deaths and/or injuries, which are exactly what the DEA is supposed to prevent.
From Salon ● Aug. 22, 2026
The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, a watchdog group, called for similar actions on Wednesday.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 19, 2026
Media watchdog IPSO, which operates a 24-hour emergency harassment helpline, said it was reviewing a flood "of complaints" about the coverage of Arday.
From Barron's ● Aug. 19, 2026
Parliament's standards watchdog has not confirmed whether it is investigating this, but Farage has said there was "no wrongdoing", he followed the rules, and he is considering legal action against the paper.
From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2026
No cock crows there; no watchdog breaks the silence; no branches rustle in the breeze; no clamor of tongues disturbs the peace.
From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton
South Korea's president urged financial watchdogs to take "necessary measures" over new highly speculative investment products tied to the fortunes of the nation's AI chipmakers after share price declines left investors nursing losses.
From Barron's ● Jul. 21, 2026
Ethics watchdogs expressed dismay this week over the deals.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 2, 2026
Kenya's doctors' union and government watchdogs have opposed the plan saying it risks exposing local populations.
From BBC ● Jun. 2, 2026
For fliers caught in the middle, there’s no single rulebook to follow, aviation watchdogs said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 2, 2026
Several of the neighbors had watchdogs, which barked at the slightest disturbance; surely, these animals would signal if the intruders returned.
From "Killers of the Flower Moon" by David Grann
John Niles, a transportation consultant who has watchdogged the design since 2006, has come to believe it will work.
From Seattle Times ● May 11, 2017
A series of corruption scandals has rocked City Hall, and each candidate says they are the best choice to provide better oversight and watchdogging.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 4, 2022
It would also create a new unit within the FTC to monitor markets to increase watchdogging for manipulations or unfair methods of competition used to increase profits.
From Seattle Times ● May 9, 2022
But Bonneville Power also faces more pressure - from those who pay the bills - to control and step up watchdogging of spending.
From Washington Times ● Jul. 23, 2019
Nelson: I agree about the attendance issue, but as with the other aspects of the entertainment industry, watchdogging is proper — opportunities of all kinds at stake.
From Washington Post ● May 9, 2016
"I undertake watchdogging in all its branches," said Clo.
From The Lion's Mouse by A. M. (Alice Muriel) Williamson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
