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:
XRG, of the United Arab Emirates, needs to get approval for the Shell deal from Australia’s foreign-investment watchdog.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 4, 2026
The parliamentary watchdog considered the allegations and concluded that they did "not provide sufficient grounds" for a formal investigation.
From BBC ● Nov. 2, 2026
Google's AI Overview regurgitated the allegation when it was prompted by the disinformation watchdog NewsGuard.
From Barron's ● Nov. 1, 2026
On Monday, a police technology watchdog group sued Park, claiming that her office refused to turn over information related to dozens of Flock devices in her district.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 29, 2026
“I don’t think you understand,” said Milo timidly as the watchdog growled a warning.
From "The Phantom Tollbooth" by Norton Juster
If Paxton wins, an incomplete picture of his finances could prevent watchdogs from evaluating his conflicts of interest as a senator, Holman and others said.
From Salon ● Sep. 5, 2026
But California regulators and consumer watchdogs disagree with AT&T on what constitutes a reliable replacement.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 10, 2026
Ethics watchdogs expressed dismay this week over the deals.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 2, 2026
Pilot Mountain joins a growing list of towns and cities nationwide where independent public watchdogs are blowing the whistle on officials’ use of government credit cards known as purchasing cards, or “p-cards.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 5, 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
Turner credits aggressive watchdogging that either closed and cleaned up or improved environmental standards at Howe Sound’s industrial sites.
From Seattle Times ● Nov. 3, 2022
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
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
Megadonors interested in watchdogging the media have instead gravitated to more cautious groups like Mr. Bozell’s Media Research Center.
From New York Times ● Dec. 7, 2017
"I undertake watchdogging in all its branches," said Clo.
From The Lion's Mouse by A. M. (Alice Muriel) Williamson
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
