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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
On Wednesday, the watchdog group said that about one-tenth of the project has been completed in the last 10 years, and nearly half of the retail and office spaces remain vacant. Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 25 Feb. 2026 However, a bill to create a statewide independent watchdog office — the office of inspector general — continues to fail committee votes as House DFLers continue attempting to modify the bill to remove the office’s enforcement capacity or allow the governor to directly appoint its head. Alex Derosier, Twin Cities, 25 Feb. 2026 The watchdog took issue with Reddit's age verification measures. ABC News, 24 Feb. 2026 The watchdog group has consistently pointed to the administration’s broader domestic agenda as the true driver of the debt crisis. Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 24 Feb. 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 27 Feb. 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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