undertaking

noun

un·​der·​tak·​ing ˈən-dər-ˌtā-kiŋ How to pronounce undertaking (audio)
ˌən-dər-ˈtā-;
 sense 1b is  only ˈən-dər-ˌtā-
1
a
: the act of one who undertakes or engages in a project or business
b
: the business of an undertaker
2
: something undertaken : enterprise
3

Examples of undertaking in a Sentence

The restoration of the old theater is a huge undertaking. He advised us against such a risky undertaking.
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.
Merging the lending apparatus of the Department of Education with the existing infrastructure of the SBA is a huge undertaking and will inevitably impact the performance of both departments. Allbusiness, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025 To achieve the latter would be a huge undertaking, and optimism should not give way to delusion. Matt Woosnam, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025 But France and the United Kingdom would need to increase the scale and diversity of their nuclear arsenals, likely a multiyear undertaking even for France, which has preserved much of the necessary infrastructure. Mark S. Bell, Foreign Affairs, 31 Mar. 2025 Under any circumstances, a migration of this size and scale would be a massive undertaking, experts tell WIRED, but the expedited deadline runs the risk of obstructing payments to the more than 65 million people in the US currently receiving Social Security benefits. Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 28 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for undertaking

Word History

First Known Use

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

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Undertaking.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/undertaking. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

undertaking

noun
un·​der·​tak·​ing ˈən-dər-ˌtā-kiŋ How to pronounce undertaking (audio)
ˌən-dər-ˈtā-kiŋ;
 sense 1b is  ˈən-dər-ˌtā-kiŋ,
 only 
1
a
: the act of a person who undertakes something
b
: the business of an undertaker
2
: something undertaken

Legal Definition

undertaking

noun
un·​der·​tak·​ing
1
: a promise or pledge especially required by law
2
: something (as cash or a written promise) deposited or given as security especially in a court

Note: Undertakings are often required of one party during property actions (as for attachment) in order to compensate the other party should the court's action (as in attaching the property) be found unjustified later.

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