Library / English Dictionary

WATCHDOG

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

A dog trained to guard property

Synonyms:

guard dog; watchdog

Classified under:

Nouns denoting animals

Hypernyms ("watchdog" is a kind of...):

working dog (any of several breeds of usually large powerful dogs bred to work as draft animals and guard and guide dogs)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "watchdog"):

kuvasz (long-established Hungarian breed of tall light-footed but sturdy white dog; used also as a hunting dog)

attack dog (a watchdog trained to attack on command)

housedog (a dog trained to guard a house)

schipperke (breed of small stocky black dogs originally used as watchdogs on boats in the Netherlands and Belgium)

pinscher (any of three breeds of dogs whose ears and tail are usually cropped)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A guardian or defender against theft or illegal practices or waste

Example:

she is the global watchdog for human rights abuses

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Hypernyms ("watchdog" is a kind of...):

defender; guardian; protector; shielder (a person who cares for persons or property)

Credits