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 watchdog warned that shipyard delays are expected to keep more submarines idle through 2030, creating additional costs and reducing the fleet’s operational capacity. — Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026 Illinois does not have independent watchdogs investigating fraud, waste, abuse, misconduct or neglect in state government, agencies or public programs. — Collin Corbett, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026 As a campaign finance watchdog two decades before the billionaire tax proposition, Wigglesworth warned Californians about what happened when wealthy donors flooded politics with cash. — Mia Osmonbekov, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026 The United Nations' nuclear watchdog repeatedly said the deal was limiting Iran's enriched uranium stockpile. — Kim Hjelmgaard, USA Today, 27 Aug. 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

Rhymes for watchdog

See All Rhymes for watchdog

Browse Nearby Words

watch desk
watchdog
watcher
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Watchdog.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/watchdog. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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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

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for watchdog

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