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
The state’s political ethics watchdog is investigating the campaign of gubernatorial candidate Tom Steyer and an influencer who boosted him online for potentially violating a state law on political advertisements. Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 15 May 2026 The first is a nano-device watchdog. Pravir Malik, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026 Jim Gardiner is suing Chicago’s top ethics watchdogs for defamation, arguing their investigations into his alleged targeting of a political opponent were bad-faith efforts to politically damage him. Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2026 The public has been swift to defend Harriman, with 70,000 people writing to complain to Britain’s media watchdog Ipso about the Telegraph and other newspapers, and 15,000 signing the current letter. Anne Doran, ARTnews.com, 14 May 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 16 May. 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

More from Merriam-Webster on watchdog

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster