undertake

verb

un·​der·​take ˌən-dər-ˈtāk How to pronounce undertake (audio)
undertook ˌən-dər-ˈtu̇k How to pronounce undertake (audio) ; undertaken ˌən-dər-ˈtā-kən How to pronounce undertake (audio) ; undertaking

transitive verb

1
: to take upon oneself : set about : attempt
undertake a task
undertake to learn to swim
2
: to put oneself under obligation to perform
also : to accept as a charge or responsibility
the lawyer who undertook the case
3
: guarantee, promise
readily undertook that the letter should be securely conveyedSir Walter Scott

intransitive verb

archaic : to give surety or assume responsibility

Examples of undertake in a Sentence

He's undertaking a thorough search. The researchers undertook a series of studies.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
However, trips to any of the dozen or so charming lakeside towns and villages are better undertaken via car or local bus. Michael Venutolo-Mantovani, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Dec. 2024 Similar projects were undertaken in favor of Maronite Christians, who were given Greater Lebanon and a Druze state in southern Syria. Brady Knox, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 11 Dec. 2024 After some brief suspense, Israel undertook an elegant and effective set of strikes that significantly weakened Iran’s air defenses and its missile, drone, and nuclear program without provoking retaliation. Suzanne Maloney, Foreign Affairs, 10 Dec. 2024 But legal experts, including Su, are watching to see if Trump’s Department of Justice backs off from that and other legal challenges on Texas’ immigration policies that were undertaken by the Biden administration. Daniella Silva, NBC News, 7 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for undertake 

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of undertake was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near undertake

Cite this Entry

“Undertake.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/undertake. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

undertake

verb
un·​der·​take ˌən-dər-ˈtāk How to pronounce undertake (audio)
undertook -ˈtu̇k How to pronounce undertake (audio) ; undertaken -ˈtā-kən How to pronounce undertake (audio) ; undertaking
1
: to take upon oneself as a task : enter upon
undertake a journey
2
: to take on as a duty : agree, contract
undertake to deliver a package

More from Merriam-Webster on undertake

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