watchdog

/'wɔtʃdɔg/

Thân thiện

A watchdog barks loudly from behind a sturdy fence.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A dog trained to guard property: A watchdog is a dog that has been specifically trained to protect a place, such as a home or business, from intruders or danger.
   • A guardian or defender against theft, illegal practices, or waste: By extension, a watchdog is a person, group, or organization that monitors activities to ensure they are legal, fair, or efficient, and works to stop wrongdoing.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The factory's watchdog barked loudly at the stranger. (The dog guarding the factory made a loud noise at the unfamiliar person.)
  • The new agency will act as a financial watchdog. (The new organization will function as a monitor of financial activities.)
  • She is the global watchdog for human rights abuses. (She is the international guardian who monitors and reports on human rights violations.)

Advanced Usage

• "To act as a watchdog": To perform the role of a monitor or guardian.
  • The committee acts as a watchdog over government spending. (The committee monitors government expenditures.)
• "Watchdog role" / "Watchdog function": The specific duty of monitoring and protecting.
  • The media has an important watchdog role in a democracy. (The press has a vital monitoring function in a democratic society.)

Variants and Related Words

• Watchdogging (noun, informal): The activity of acting as a watchdog.
  • His career was dedicated to the watchdogging of corporate ethics. (His professional life was focused on monitoring corporate ethical behavior.)

Synonyms

• Guardian: A defender or protector.
• Monitor: One who observes and checks a process or activity.
• Ombudsman: An official appointed to investigate complaints against an organization.

Related Phrases

• Consumer watchdog: An organization that protects the rights of buyers.
  • The consumer watchdog issued a warning about the product. (The organization protecting buyers released a safety alert about the item.)
• Government watchdog: A group that monitors the actions of a government.
  • The transparency group is a well-known government watchdog. (The openness organization is a famous monitor of state activities.)

Học thuật

Noun

1. a dog trained to guard property
2. a guardian or defender against theft or illegal practices or waste
   • she is the global watchdog for human rights abuses

Từ đồng nghĩa

• guard dog