watchdog

[ woch-dawg, -dog ]

/ ˈwɒtʃˌdɔg, -ˌdɒg /

a dog kept to guard property.

a watchful guardian: a self-appointed watchdog of the public morals.

of, relating to, or characteristic of a watchdog.

organized or functioning as a watchful guardian, especially against illegal or unethical conduct: a watchdog group in the legislature.

to watch carefully, especially so as to detect illegal or unethical conduct.

Origin of watchdog

First recorded in 1600–10; watch + dog

He charged his trusted advisor Yitzhak Molcho to act as a watchdog to prevent any progress.

Goodbye to Israel’s Lousy Government (Let’s Hope the Next One Isn’t Worse) |Alon Ben-Meir |December 4, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
According to the watchdog group, this systemic abuse has led to hundreds of political prisoners being detained across the country.

Forget About a Kindler Gentler Iran |Nina Strochlic |August 19, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
One watchdog group reported shortages of ballots, technical problems, and ballot stuffing.

The View of Iraq From Troops in Afghanistan |Nick Willard |June 25, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
The familiar notion of the press as a watchdog for government only arose much later.

How the News Business Found Its Footing |Nick Romeo |June 22, 2014 |DAILY BEAST

Thankfully, a watchdog group of unskewers at the Science Media Centre examined the actual facts.

Does Fatherhood Make Men Healthier? |Kent Sepkowitz |June 14, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
The grim brute, like the watchdog of the old mythology, has three heads, and each gaping for honey cakes.

Expositions of Holy Scripture |Alexander Maclaren
In the hush of midnight he could hear the watchdog bark, distant and vague, from the far opposite shore of the Hudson.

America, Volume III (of 6) |Joel Cook
His instinct was merely to remain there, like a watchdog, and never take his eyes off her till the time came for him to spring.

"Persons Unknown" |Virginia Tracy
It was Stephen the Watchdog who looked in over the half-door to give this piece of information.

One Snowy Night |Emily Sarah Holt
Yet, such is the nature of dogs and men, the watchdog was never more numerous nor more alert than today.

The Unpopular Review, Volume II Number 3 |Various

watchdog

/ (ˈwɒtʃˌdɒɡ) /

a dog kept to guard property

a person or group of persons that acts as a protector or guardian against inefficiency, illegal practices, etc
(as modifier)a watchdog committee