watchdog

1 of 2

noun

watch·​dog ˈwäch-ˌdȯg How to pronounce watchdog (audio)
ˈwȯch-
Synonyms of watchdognext
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
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Noun
Sean McMorris, transparency, ethics and accountability program manager with California Common Cause, a nonpartisan government watchdog, said in an email Friday that heavy reliance on outside vendors can increase the risk of fraud or mismanagement if oversight is weak. Teresa Liu, Daily News, 18 Apr. 2026 As the city determines how to balance its budget, the two have traded jabs at each other — although the speaker extended an olive branch of sorts earlier this week with the Council approval of Mamdani’s pick for the city’s top investigative watchdog. Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 17 Apr. 2026 Ethics experts and watchdog groups argue the lawsuit creates stark conflicts of interest, with the president simultaneously controlling and suing his own government. Fatima Hussein, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2026 Iran possessed about 440 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60% as of June 2025, the International Atomic Energy Agency, a United Nations watchdog group, said in a report issued in February. Max Zahn, ABC News, 17 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for watchdog

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1612, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1902, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of watchdog was in 1612

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Watchdog.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/watchdog. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.

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

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