watchdog
/ˈwɒtʃdɒɡ/ (bre, ipa) · [wˈɑtʃdˌɔɡ] /ˈwɑːtʃdɔːɡ/ (ame, ipa) · [wˈɑtʃdˌɔɡ] /ˈwäch-ˌdȯg How to pronounce watchdog (audio) ˈwȯch-/ (ame, mw)
watchdog — noun
- watchdogsingular
- watchdogsplural
1. a group or an individual that monitors companies, industries, or public bodies t
a group or an individual that monitors companies, industries, or public bodies to ensure they follow the law and act fairly toward the public.
The consumer watchdog warned shoppers about a company selling fake electronics online.
consumer watchdog — common collocation for consumer-protection bodies
A financial watchdog fined the bank for charging customers hidden fees.
Karim works as a watchdog for the environmental agency, checking waste at factories.
Several watchdog groups have raised concerns about how the government spends public money.
When the hospital's safety problems became public, the health watchdog launched a full investigation.
- regulator
focuses on official rule-making and enforcement, while watchdog emphasises observation and exposure
- overseer
broader term for someone who watches over work, not limited to ethics or law
- monitor
neutral term for anyone who tracks activity, without the implication of advocacy
- ombudsman
a specific official role that investigates complaints, usually in the public sector
用法筆記
Often used as a noun modifier before another noun, e.g. watchdog group, watchdog agency, watchdog report.
常見錯誤
2. any dog kept to protect a house, building, or area from unwanted visitors or int
any dog kept to protect a house, building, or area from unwanted visitors or intruders.
A watchdog in the yard scared two strangers away from the gate.
The warehouse owner keeps a watchdog by the shed to guard against thieves at night.
keep a watchdog — typical verb collocation
The neighbour complained because the family's watchdog barked all night.
Farmers in the area keep watchdogs to protect their sheep from wild animals.
Jiwoo adopted a retired police watchdog and trained it to respond to basic commands.
- guard dog
the more common everyday term; 'watchdog' can sound slightly more formal or journalistic
- attack dog
suggests a dog trained to bite or attack, not just alert
- sentinel
very formal and rare for animals outside literature, typically refers to a guard
用法筆記
Usually refers to a dog on private property, as opposed to a police dog or sniffer dog used by law enforcement.
watchdog — verb
- watchdogpresent simple I / you / we / they
- watchdogs3rd person singular
- watchdoging-ing form
- watchdogedpast simple
1. to regularly check the activities of a company, industry, or organisation to mak
to regularly check the activities of a company, industry, or organisation to make sure it follows the law, ethical standards, or agreed rules.
A new body will watchdog the food industry to stop unsafe products reaching stores.
watchdog + [industry/sector] — typical object pattern
The committee watchdogs every public hospital to ensure patient records are handled correctly.
An independent journalist group watchdogs the election campaign, tracking how each candidate spends money.
Citizens asked the council to watchdog the project after reports of substandard materials.
The agency was created to watchdog the oil industry after a spill that harmed wildlife.
- monitor
broader and more neutral; 'watchdog' adds a sense of active scrutiny and correction
- oversee
implies managing or supervising rather than just observing
- inspect
suggests checking specific details or standards, often in person
- police
suggests enforcing rules, not just watching; slightly informal in non-police contexts
文法句型
watchdog + noun phrase
用法筆記
As a verb, 'watchdog' is less common than 'monitor' or 'oversee' and is used mostly in journalism, policy writing, and formal reports.