Definition of "watchdog" in English

noun

1. A guard dog.

2. (figurative) An individual or group that monitors the activities of another entity (such as an individual, corporation, non-profit group, or governmental organization) on behalf of the public to ensure that entity does not behave illegally or unethically.

3. (electronics, computing) Ellipsis of watchdog timer.

verb

1. To perform a function analogous to that of a watchdog; to guard and warn.

2. (electronics) To be continuously reset by a watchdog timer.