Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

watchdog

noun

/ˈwɒtʃdɒɡ/

Definition

A watchdog is a person or group that monitors the activities of an organization, individual, or government to ensure that they are acting fairly and within the law.

Examples

The environmental watchdog filed a lawsuit against the corporation for polluting the river.
In many communities, local newspapers act as watchdogs by investigating local government actions.
The watchdog organization reported several human rights violations in the region.

Meaning

The term watchdog can refer to a person or an agency that oversees operations to prevent misconduct or to enforce regulations. It’s commonly used in contexts such as journalism, animal rights, and government oversight.