undergo

verb

un·​der·​go ˌən-dər-ˈgō 

underwent ˌən-dər-ˈwent  ; undergone ˌən-dər-ˈgȯn 

 also  -ˈgän

; undergoing ˌən-dər-ˈgō-iŋ 

-ˈgȯ(-)iŋ

transitive verb

1

: to submit to : endure

2

: to go through : experience

undergo a transformation

3

obsolete : undertake

4

obsolete : to partake of

Synonyms

• endure
• experience
• feel
• have
• know
• pass
• see
• suffer
• sustain
• taste
• witness

Examples of undergo in a Sentence

She will have to undergo an operation.

some people undergo a complete transformation while away at college

Recent Examples on the Web

As of January 2025, the Brantford facility has undergone a hygienic restoration and is once again producing griddle products for our customers. —Justin Gest, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025

Right-hander Javier Assad underwent imaging Monday on his left oblique after experiencing soreness following a workout on a bullpen day. —Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2025

Our sun undergoes an 11-year cycle of magnetic activity, rising from solar minimum when there are hardly any sunspots visible, to solar maximum when there are sunspots, prominences, coronal mass ejections and flares aplenty. —Keith Cooper, Space.com, 11 Feb. 2025

Ahead of the 2025 Jubilee year, Bernini’s baldacchino underwent major restoration, which was funded by the Knights of Columbus for around $768,000, in 2024. —Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 10 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

undergo

verb

un·​der·​go ˌən-dər-ˈgō 

underwent

-ˈwent

; undergone -ˈgȯn 

 also  -ˈgän

; undergoing -ˈgō-iŋ 

1

: endure sense 2

undergo an operation

2

: to pass through : experience

undergoing a change