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

Under that deal, Iran agreed to let the United Nations' nuclear watchdog agency, the IAEA, monitor its nuclear program to ensure limits on its enrichment activities were adhered to in return for a lifting of sanctions against the regime. —CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026

Warning signs Advocates, a county watchdog and even a judge had warned for months before Diaz’s death that rampant drug use inside the county’s juvenile facilities would lead to disaster if the county did not make changes. —Jason Henry, Daily News, 24 Apr. 2026

Continue reading … LINGERING QUESTIONS — Epstein fallout grows as DOJ watchdog digs deeper into handling of the case. —FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2026

The document was released only after Public Citizen, a watchdog group, sued to obtain it. —Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 22 Apr. 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