watchdog

American  

[woch-dawg, -dog] / ˈwɒtʃˌdɔg, -ˌdɒg /

noun

1. a dog kept to guard property.

2. a watchful guardian.

   a self-appointed watchdog of the public morals.

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of a watchdog.

2. organized or functioning as a watchful guardian, especially against illegal or unethical conduct.

   a watchdog group in the legislature.

verb (used with object)

watchdogged, watchdogging

1. to watch carefully, especially so as to detect illegal or unethical conduct.

watchdog British  

/ ˈwɒtʃˌdɒɡ /

noun

1. a dog kept to guard property

2. 1. a person or group of persons that acts as a protector or guardian against inefficiency, illegal practices, etc

   2. ( as modifier )

      a watchdog committee

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Etymology

Origin of watchdog

First recorded in 1600–10; watch + dog

Example Sentences

The former boss of collapsed construction giant Carillion has been fined by the UK's finance watchdog for acting "recklessly" and misleading others over the firm's precarious financial position.

From BBC

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi met with the UN nuclear watchdog chief on Monday, saying in a post on X he was in Geneva to "achieve a fair and equitable deal".

From BBC

Ireland’s data protection watchdog DPC said on Tuesday it is investigating X over concerns it could be breaching European Union privacy rules.

From The Wall Street Journal

The travel has also revived a recurring question from critics and watchdog groups: Who pays for those trips?

From Los Angeles Times

It comes as the Competition and Markets Authority watchdog found vet prices had risen at nearly twice the rate of inflation.

From BBC

Related Words

• curator
• keeper
• overseer
• protector
• steward
• superintendent
• supervisor
• warden