watchdog

1 of 2

noun

watch·​dog ˈwäch-ˌdȯg 

ˈwȯch-

1

: a dog kept to guard property

2

: one that guards against loss, waste, theft, or undesirable practices

watchdog

2 of 2

verb

watchdogged; watchdogging; watchdogs

transitive verb

: to act as a watchdog for

Examples of watchdog in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The city and county of Denver, Latino civil rights group UnidosUS and liberal-leaning watchdog group Common Cause joined in LULAC’s lawsuit against DHS, ICE, Mullin and Acting ICE Director David Venturella. — Michael Loria, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2026

Journalists report on governmental affairs and act as watchdogs, exposing abuse and corruption. — Kenneth Michael White, The Conversation, 10 Sep. 2026

Saudi Arabia may give the UN nuclear watchdog greater inspection powers as part of its attempts to get a nuclear deal with the US approved and head off criticism that the agreement does not sufficiently limit proliferation risks. — Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 9 Sep. 2026

Michael McCuskey will resign that watchdog post amid criticism about his ability to handle investigations. — Ben Szalinski, CBS News, 8 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1612, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1902, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for watchdog

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

Kids Definition

watchdog

noun

watch·​dog

ˈwäch-ˌdȯg, 

ˈwȯch-

1

: a dog kept to guard property

2

: one that guards against loss, waste, theft, or dishonesty