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.
The Duke of Edinburgh, who turned 61 on March 10, traveled to Estonia for a two-day stay in January to undertake a series of military engagements. Janine Henni, People.com, 12 Mar. 2025 It has been shelved for environmental concerns in the past but has since been listed as one of 30 projects Belém is undertaking to prepare for the COP30 summit, which is set to see more than 50,000 people, including top world leaders, visit the city. Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025 Lawmakers scaled back their activities at the Capitol, and staff undertook a deep cleaning of the building. Erica E. Phillips, Hartford Courant, 12 Mar. 2025 Since its inauguration in January, this administration has undertaken a systematic slashing of institutions from Social Security and Veterans Affairs to the Federal Aviation Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency. Raja Krishnamoorthi, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2025 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

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Cite this Entry

“Undertake.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/undertake. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.

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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