noun
watchdog
WOCH-dog
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
Word Forms
watchdogged past tense, watchdogs singular
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The consumer _____ investigated the airline's refund policy.
Etymology
From watch + dog.