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 team that arrived told residents they had been sent by the health watchdog. — Zahra Ullah, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2026

One-time fixes typically are frowned upon by fiscal watchdogs and credit rating agencies. — A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026

California Volunteers disagreed with the watchdog’s recommendation to suspend CivicWell, noting that the organization stopped receiving grant funds in July 2024. — Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 8 Oct. 2026

Virginia Palacios, executive director of Commission Shift, a nonprofit watchdog group focused on the Railroad Commission, said the agency has long struggled with transparency and oversight. — CBS News, 7 Oct. 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