watchdog

A person or group that checks organizations' actions to protect other people's interests.

• The watchdog investigated the company.
• A consumer watchdog warned buyers about the faulty heaters.
• Independent watchdogs monitor how the government spends public money.

How to use it: watchdog over someone/something (The group acts as a watchdog over public spending.)

Similar words: monitor, overseer

Common phrases: consumer watchdog, independent watchdog, financial watchdog

A dog kept to protect a home or other property and warn people about strangers.

• Their watchdog barked at me.
• We keep a watchdog outside the warehouse.
• The thieves ran away when the watchdog woke up.

Similar words: guard dog

Common phrases: keep a watchdog, watchdog barks, fierce watchdog

For a computer system to be repeatedly reset by a safety timer.

• The processor may watchdog during startup.
• The device watchdogged repeatedly after the update.
• If the firmware freezes, the system will watchdog.

Common phrases: system will watchdog, device may watchdog