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

Boohoo, which bought department store chain Debenhams in 2021 and years later renamed itself Debenhams Group, reportedly said through a spokesperson that the company has already cooperated fully with the watchdog. — Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 21 Aug. 2026

The referrals involved accounts later identified by watchdog group Anti-Corruption Data Collective, which analyzed publicly available Polymarket trading data, CNN reported. — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 21 Aug. 2026

Recently, Meta acknowledged that subcontracted workers sometimes review content captured by its AI glasses, findings the UK data watchdog called concerning. — Jason Walker Psyd, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026

Budget watchdogs have continually called on policymakers to get America’s fiscal house in order. — Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 19 Aug. 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