watchdog
Americannoun
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a dog kept to guard property.
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a watchful guardian.
a self-appointed watchdog of the public morals.
adjective
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of, relating to, or characteristic of a watchdog.
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organized or functioning as a watchful guardian, especially against illegal or unethical conduct.
a watchdog group in the legislature.
verb (used with object)
noun
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a dog kept to guard property
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a person or group of persons that acts as a protector or guardian against inefficiency, illegal practices, etc
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( as modifier )
a watchdog committee
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Etymology
Origin of watchdog
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The watchdog also benchmarked MPs' pay against other senior civil roles and similar democracies worldwide, as well as the wider economic context.
From BBC
The head of the UN's nuclear watchdog said on Monday his agency has "no indication" that any nuclear installations have been damaged or hit in Iran following US and Israeli strikes on the country.
From Barron's
Four oil tankers were attacked Sunday, a British Navy watchdog said, including a motor fuel cargo chartered by Saudi Aramco.
While GLP-1s have undergone extensive human trials and are licensed by the MHRA, the UK's medicines watchdog, there is a "grey market" of other peptides emerging.
From BBC
Thursday’s meeting was packed with supporters of City Controller Kenneth Mejia, who feared that the commission would gut his office’s watchdog role.
From Los Angeles Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
