watchdog

Meaning

Noun

1. A guard dog.
2. (figuratively) An individual or group that monitors the activities of another entity (such as an individual, corporation, non-profit group, or governmental organization) on behalf of the public to ensure that entity does not behave illegally or unethically.
3. (abbreviation, alt-of, ellipsis) Ellipsis of watchdog timer.

Verb

1. To perform a function analogous to that of a watchdog; to guard and warn.
2. To be continuously reset by a watchdog timer.

Synonyms

guard dog

dog

🐕

guard

💂

watchman

sentinel

look out

sentry

patrol

invigilator

keeper

lookout

monitor

open-eyed

overseer

patrolman

proctor

protector

sleepless

steward

supervisor

surveillance

tender

vedette

wake

wakeful

warder

watch

⌚

watch dog

watcher

watchful

vidette

K-9

alert

gos

awake

canid

canine

custodian

guardian

guardsman

💂‍♂️

hound

Translations

Wachhund

chien de garde

waakhond

perro guardián

surveillant

hond

🐕

mâtin

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈwɑːt͡ʃ.ˌdɑːɡ/

Etymology

Compound of watch + dog.