watchdog

1 of 2

noun

watch·​dog ˈwäch-ˌdȯg How to pronounce watchdog (audio)
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
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
More than half of that amount came from data-center demand, according to a report by Monitoring Analytics, the independent watchdog for PJM. Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2025 Democrats, federal employees and a watchdog group have accused Republicans of skirting the Hatch Act, a 1939 federal law that prevents federal employees from engaging in partisan activities. Surina Venkat, The Hill, 10 Oct. 2025 Checkmate, which is another element that will continue in future DCU projects, is a covert watchdog agency. Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 10 Oct. 2025 Thus, Diella has been positioned by Rama as an omniscient watchdog for the sector. Tharin Pillay, Time, 10 Oct. 2025 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 18 Oct. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on watchdog

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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