View synonyms for

watchdog

[ woch-dawg, -dog ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a dog kept to guard property.
a watchful guardian:
a self-appointed watchdog of the public morals.

adjective

of, relating to, or characteristic of a watchdog.
organized or functioning as a watchful guardian, especially against illegal or unethical conduct:
a watchdog group in the legislature.

verb (used with object)

watchdogged, watchdogging.

to watch carefully, especially so as to detect illegal or unethical conduct.

watchdog

/ ˈ��ɒ��ʃˌ��ɒɡ /

noun

a dog kept to guard property
1. a person or group of persons that acts as a protector or guardian against inefficiency, illegal practices, etc
2. ( as modifier )
  a watchdog committee

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Word History and Origins

Origin of watchdog¹

First recorded in 1600–10; watch + dog

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Dr McCloud, who stepped down from their High Court role court last year, said the Supreme Court judgement and equality watchdog's new guidance violated her human rights and she felt "contained and segregated".

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Chancellor Rachel Reeves is being investigated by Parliament's standards watchdog after failing to declare on time that she received free theatre tickets.

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The concerned citizen wanted the department’s new watchdog to know the department had stopped releasing statistics about the program.

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The Met Police officer who was cleared of murder after shooting Chris Kaba will face a gross misconduct hearing, the police watchdog has said.

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The government has made very little progress in preparing the UK for the growing threats posed by rising temperatures since coming to power, its climate watchdog has warned.

From

Related Words

Watch Committee watcher

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