lapdog

noun

lap·​dog ˈlap-ˌdȯg 

variants or less commonly lap dog

plural lapdogs also lap dogs

1

: a small dog (such as a Chihuahua or Pomeranian) that may be held in the lap

2

: a servile dependent or follower

"We had a choice of being attack dogs or lapdogs," said a G.O.P. lawmaker.

—Jacob V. Lamar

lap dog politicians

Examples of lapdog in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Cox’s film is biased in Bill’s favor, portraying him as a lapdog whose love for this screeching, spiteful, beady-eyed woman is his great tragic flaw. — Katie Rife, IndieWire, 14 Sep. 2026

His administration replaced the Pentagon press corps with MAGA lapdogs, influencers, and a disgraced former congressman turned podcaster. — Adrienne Lafrance, The Atlantic, 1 June 2026

That meant, of course, that Byron, the King Charles spaniel, notable lapdog and occasional Chopard mascot, would be in attendance alongside his mistress, the co-president. — Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026

These can be summarized as a debate about whether the media are watchdogs, aggressively scrutinizing government officials, or lapdogs, mostly colluding with or manipulated by them. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1611, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for lapdog

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

Kids Definition

lapdog

noun

lap·​dog ˈlap-ˌdȯg 

: a dog small enough to be held in the lap