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

But a new watchdog memo raises serious questions about whether the private contractors entrusted with that work are adequately protecting taxpayer information. — Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

For months, the United Nations watchdog has investigated claims made by a female ICC employee who worked as a direct assistant to Khan. — Christiane Amanpour, CNN Money, 16 July 2026

The Primary isn’t the first to establish itself as a watchdog for the watchdogs. — Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 16 July 2026

Regional airlines have mostly recovered to pre-conflict capacity levels, but the EU’s aviation watchdog issued a fresh warning advising airlines to avoid airspace over much of the region. — Kelsey Warner, semafor.com, 15 July 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