undertaking

noun

un·​der·​tak·​ing ˈən-dər-ˌtā-kiŋ 

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

: pledge, guarantee

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

Utah's Deer Valley has launched its East Village project, a massive multiyear undertaking that will more than double its existing terrain. —Crai S. Bower, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Dec. 2024

Completing the verification and destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons program will be a major undertaking. —Gregory D. Koblentz, Foreign Affairs, 19 Dec. 2024

The stopgap bill is a massive undertaking that would fund the government through March 14. —Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 18 Dec. 2024

Though Taiwan’s military is nearly seven times smaller than China’s by manpower, the island’s geography means that an invasion would be a massive undertaking that would lead to heavy casualties for the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). —Joshua Keating, Vox, 16 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing undertaking

• give an undertaking

Kids Definition

undertaking

noun

un·​der·​tak·​ing ˈən-dər-ˌtā-kiŋ 

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.