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
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Noun
Russia’s consumer safety watchdog warned locals to avoid being outdoors, keep their windows closed and rinse their eyes, nose and throat. Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 1 May 2026 The most vocal opposition comes from the Silicon Valley Taxpayers Association, a fiscal watchdog group that evaluates local tax policy. Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 1 May 2026 The state’s fiscal watchdog oversees the intake and outtake of public funds and audits departments across the state. Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2026 Now, without a publicly accessible way to track the office’s investigations, journalists, education watchdogs and parents could be left in the dark. Charles Ornstein, ProPublica, 30 Apr. 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 2 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

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