A watchdog is a person or committee whose job is to make sure that companies do not act illegally or irresponsibly.
...an anti-crime watchdog group funded by New York businesses.
More Synonyms of watchdog
watchdog in British English
(ˈwɒtʃˌdɒɡ)
noun
1.
a dog kept to guard property
2.
a.
a person or group of persons that acts as a protector or guardian against inefficiency, illegal practices, etc
b.
(as modifier)
a watchdog committee
watchdog in American English
(wɑtʃˌdɔg; wɔtʃˌdɔg)
noun
1.
a dog kept to guard property, as by barking
2.
a person or group that keeps watch in order to prevent waste, unethical practices, etc.
verb transitive
3.
to act as a watchdog over
Examples of 'watchdog' in a sentence
watchdog
The watchdog says that it will decide next year whether to allow the plant to open.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Now under investigation by the competition watchdog.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It will have to be approved by competition watchdogs.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The government has been under pressure to increase competition in banking after a highly criticised review from the competition watchdog.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Allegations of misconduct against nurses and midwives will no longer be made available for public scrutiny before disciplinary hearings, the industry watchdog has said.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
PEOPLE drinking just two glasses of wine a day should be tested for liver disease, a health watchdog says.
The Sun (2016)
The hospital has been slammed by health watchdogs and patient groups.
The Sun (2016)
They have signed a letter pleading with competition watchdogs to look into prices at the pumps.
The Sun (2015)
And the spending watchdog warns that councils are not ready for the looming crisis.
The Sun (2009)
MPs are to grill the competition watchdog over its heavily criticised investigation into the banks this week.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
And thinking that the competition watchdogs might just decide to turn a blind eye.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Equally appalling is the ineptitude of the industry watchdogs and the paltry penalty which they have dished out.
The Sun (2014)
The head of the watchdog on peerages has compared the use of secret loans by political parties to tax avoidance.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
But consumer watchdogs blasted the increases.
The Sun (2007)
Rather than cede ground, the opportunity to tackle the watchdogs head on may prove irresistible.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
They include watchdogs, advisory groups and protection agencies.
The Sun (2010)
The consumer watchdog sent mystery shoppers to 122 pharmacies to complain about three sets of symptoms.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
It has since become clear that the spending watchdog's role will not be radically extended.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Where in the Bible does it say you should have watchdogs and judgment groups that watch over ministries?
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
TOUGH steps to track down firms behind nuisance phone calls were announced by the industry watchdog yesterday.
The Sun (2013)
The industry watchdog added that although it might make women think about their body shapes, it was not irresponsible.
The Sun (2015)
The move came as watchdogs fear gas bills could rise by 80 to hit 700 a year.
The Sun (2010)
The New York watchdog said that five executives would be fired or resign as a result of the investigation.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Official figures for business investment after the crisis no longer look quite as bad as the readings that had the government's budget watchdog scratching its head.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Mobile phone bills are set to rise after the industry watchdog said it would treble the fees it charges networks for airspace to 200 million a year.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The consumer watchdog says it is because many people don't know what their monthly limit is for calls, texts and data usage.
The Sun (2010)
Far better for him to be appointed head of a watchdog organisation in Britain, where his integrity and insight could expose corruption close to home.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
In other languages
watchdog
British English: watchdog NOUN
A watchdog is a person or committee whose job is to make sure that companies do not act illegally or irresponsibly.
...an anti-crime watchdog group funded by local businesses.