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

Some of those public contracts raise particular alarm among watchdogs. — Rachel Treisman, NPR, 2 July 2026

Atkin is the chief executive of the digital advertising watchdog Check My Ads Institute. — Literary Hub, 30 June 2026

Albania’s anti-corruption watchdog has opened an investigation. — Max Grinstein, The Washington Examiner, 3 July 2026

The filings are also likely the tip of the iceberg of what’s to emerge from financial disclosures in the following weeks, ethics watchdogs have previously told CNBC. — Luke Fountain,justin Papp, CNBC, 3 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