Watchdog
noun
A person or group that watches or checks on actions of others to prevent mistakes or wrongdoing.
The press often acts as a watchdog on the government, investigating and reporting on any potential corruption or misuse of power.
Often appears as...
- media watchdog
- security watchdog
noun
A breed of dog known for guarding property.
Their German Shepherd acts as a watchdog, barking loudly if anyone unfamiliar approaches the house.
Often appears as...
- breed watchdog
- keep as a watchdog
noun
A software program or device that monitors network or system performance, or checks for failures or errors.
The IT department installed a watchdog to detect any unauthorized access to the network.
Often appears as...
- install a watchdog
- watchdog program
Usage tips
Technical
noun
A person or group that watches or checks on actions of others to prevent mistakes or wrongdoing.
The press often acts as a watchdog on the government, investigating and reporting on any potential corruption or misuse of power.
Often appears as...
- media watchdog
- security watchdog
noun
A breed of dog known for guarding property.
Their German Shepherd acts as a watchdog, barking loudly if anyone unfamiliar approaches the house.
Often appears as...
- breed watchdog
- keep as a watchdog
noun
A software program or device that monitors network or system performance, or checks for failures or errors.
The IT department installed a watchdog to detect any unauthorized access to the network.
Often appears as...
- install a watchdog
- watchdog program
Usage tips
Technical
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Metaphorical Use
Used to describe someone observing critically, often to maintain integrity or ethical standards.
She is the classroom watchdog, ensuring students follow the honor code during exams.
Pro Tip 2/3Figurative Guardian
Implies a protective role, safeguarding the public interest or wellbeing.
Consumer rights groups serve as watchdogs, policing unfair business practices.
Pro Tip 3/3Active Oversight
This role is proactive, actively seeking and exposing problems, not just responding to them.
As a watchdog, the committee proactively audits accounts to prevent embezzlement.
Pro Tip 1/3Metaphorical Use
Used to describe someone observing critically, often to maintain integrity or ethical standards.
She is the classroom watchdog, ensuring students follow the honor code during exams.
Pro Tip 2/3Figurative Guardian
Implies a protective role, safeguarding the public interest or wellbeing.
Consumer rights groups serve as watchdogs, policing unfair business practices.
Pro Tip 3/3Active Oversight
This role is proactive, actively seeking and exposing problems, not just responding to them.
As a watchdog, the committee proactively audits accounts to prevent embezzlement.
Pro Tip 1/3Metaphorical Use
Used to describe someone observing critically, often to maintain integrity or ethical standards.
She is the classroom watchdog, ensuring students follow the honor code during exams.
Pro Tip 2/3Figurative Guardian
Implies a protective role, safeguarding the public interest or wellbeing.
Consumer rights groups serve as watchdogs, policing unfair business practices.
Pro Tip 3/3Active Oversight
This role is proactive, actively seeking and exposing problems, not just responding to them.
As a watchdog, the committee proactively audits accounts to prevent embezzlement.
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Video examples
Theaster Gates: How to...
but entities that are interested in the stabilization piece, and I feel like often the developer piece is really motivated, but the other work of a kind of neighborhood consciousness, that part doesn't live anymore. So how do you start to grow up important watchdogs
Video examples
The Water Crisis PIPE...
i'm heading out into the bay with john rosenfield he's the senior scientist with the non-profit organization san francisco bay keeper we're the watchdogs of the bay the the little boat that could uh we use drones
Video examples
Theaster Gates: How to...
but entities that are interested in the stabilization piece, and I feel like often the developer piece is really motivated, but the other work of a kind of neighborhood consciousness, that part doesn't live anymore. So how do you start to grow up important watchdogs
Video examples
The Water Crisis PIPE...
i'm heading out into the bay with john rosenfield he's the senior scientist with the non-profit organization san francisco bay keeper we're the watchdogs of the bay the the little boat that could uh we use drones
Example 1 of 2
Quote examples
James Chanos
American Businessman
I'll always understand the Schadenfreude aspect to short-selling. I get that no one will always like it. I'm also convinced to the deepest part of my bones that short-selling plays the role of real-time financial watchdog. It's one of the few checks and balances in the market.
Quote examples
Richard Cordray
American Lawyer
What I feel is that we need an independent consumer watchdog. You have regular people who have problems with big financial companies. How do they get relief? And you need somebody who's gonna stand on their side and level the playing field for them.
Quote examples
Alberto Gonzales
American Public Servant
I respect very much the role of the media in our society; I think they can be very, very helpful. They serve as a very useful check, sort of a watchdog over the actions of the government, and I respect that.
Quote examples
Thomas Frank
American Author
Money has transformed every watchdog, every independent authority. Medical doctors are increasingly gulled by the lobbying of pharmaceutical salesmen.
Quote examples
Fatih Birol
Turkish Economist
We are considered to be a watchdog, the IEA, and a watchdog fulfils its task only if it barks. So I bark when I think there is a need for barking.
Quote examples
Dan Rather
American Journalist
One of the most important roles of our journalists is to be watchdogs.
Quote examples
Chuck Grassley
American Politician
Complacency by the watchdogs hurts both taxpayers and beneficiaries.
Quote examples
Ted Deutch
American Politician
We count on the FEC to be the public's watchdog.
Quote examples
Lara Giddings
Australian Politician
Tasmania needs a watchdog, not a lap dog.
Quote examples
Beppe Grillo
Italian Comedian
My role is that of the watchdog.
Quote examples
James Chanos
American Businessman
I'll always understand the Schadenfreude aspect to short-selling. I get that no one will always like it. I'm also convinced to the deepest part of my bones that short-selling plays the role of real-time financial watchdog. It's one of the few checks and balances in the market.
Quote examples
Richard Cordray
American Lawyer
What I feel is that we need an independent consumer watchdog. You have regular people who have problems with big financial companies. How do they get relief? And you need somebody who's gonna stand on their side and level the playing field for them.
Quote examples
Alberto Gonzales
American Public Servant
I respect very much the role of the media in our society; I think they can be very, very helpful. They serve as a very useful check, sort of a watchdog over the actions of the government, and I respect that.
Quote examples
Thomas Frank
American Author
Money has transformed every watchdog, every independent authority. Medical doctors are increasingly gulled by the lobbying of pharmaceutical salesmen.
Quote examples
Fatih Birol
Turkish Economist
We are considered to be a watchdog, the IEA, and a watchdog fulfils its task only if it barks. So I bark when I think there is a need for barking.
Quote examples
Dan Rather
American Journalist
One of the most important roles of our journalists is to be watchdogs.
Quote examples
Chuck Grassley
American Politician
Complacency by the watchdogs hurts both taxpayers and beneficiaries.
Quote examples
Ted Deutch
American Politician
We count on the FEC to be the public's watchdog.
Quote examples
Lara Giddings
Australian Politician
Tasmania needs a watchdog, not a lap dog.
Quote examples
Beppe Grillo
Italian Comedian
My role is that of the watchdog.
Example 1 of 10
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