noun
Uncommon
watchdog
WOCH-dog
Watchdog (noun) means a dog kept to guard property, or by extension, a person or group that monitors organisations for wrongdoing. Example: “The consumer watchdog investigated the airline's refund policy.”
noun
1
A dog kept to guard property, or by extension, a person or group that monitors organisations for wrongdoing.
"The consumer watchdog investigated the airline's refund policy."
"A watchdog barked at every car that passed the gate."
How to use watchdog
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishLiterally a guard dog, or figuratively an organisation that monitors others for misconduct.
Common pairings
a watchdog group
financial watchdog
watchdog report
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- watchdogs
- Past tense
- watchdogged
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The consumer _____ investigated the airline's refund policy.
Etymology
From watch + dog.
Synonyms
View more →
guard dog
Frequently asked questions
What does “watchdog” mean?
The word “watchdog” means a dog kept to guard property, or by extension, a person or group that monitors organisations for wrongdoing. In plain terms, literally a guard dog, or figuratively an organisation that monitors others for misconduct.
How do you pronounce “watchdog”?
“Watchdog” is pronounced WOCH-dog (/ˈwɑːt͡ʃˌdɑːɡ/ in IPA).
How do you use “watchdog” in a sentence?
Here is “watchdog” used in a sentence: “The consumer watchdog investigated the airline's refund policy.”
What part of speech is “watchdog”?
“Watchdog” is a noun.
Is “watchdog” a common word?
“Watchdog” is an uncommon word in modern English.
