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

Stars including Evan Peters, Charlize Theron, Lupita Nyong'o and James McAvoy have all undergone serious transformations in an effort to bring some of the creepiest characters in cinema history to the big screen. —Lydia Price, People.com, 23 Nov. 2024

The property, previously known as Banyan Cay, has undergone far more than a name change. —Erik Matuszewski, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024

The cinema has undergone several incarnations since it was built by brothers Jimmy and Johnny Houlihan and opened in 1919. —Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 22 Nov. 2024

Iran has undergone a series of earth-shaking changes in the past few years. —Steven Zeitchik, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Nov. 2024

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