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

But the watchdog said there was little evidence that hundreds of millions of pounds spent on SEN "is being spent effectively or delivering a high-quality education to those who need it".

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

The government's spending watchdog, the Office for Budget Responsibility, has forecast the tax will bring in £4.6bn for the Treasury in the year 2025-2026.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

Officials with the Department of Homeland Security’s inspector general, the agency’s internal watchdog, recently seized records and a computer from the office of Kara Voorhies, according to people familiar with the matter.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 29, 2026

The anti-corruption watchdog Transparency International has labelled Hungary as the EU's most corrupt country alongside Bulgaria in its Corruption Perceptions Index.

From Barron's • Mar. 27, 2026

Harlan Betchel’s Doberman watchdog, Brutus, danced excitedly in the front plate glass window of the Pilar Cafe, barking and snarling while Joe heaved.

From "The Milagro Beanfield War" by John Nichols

Related Words

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