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

The 725,000-square-foot center underwent an extensive renovation beginning in 2008. —Adrian Rodriguez, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024

The Pole, who underwent a high-profile coaching change, struggled against her Czech opponent before finding her rhythm in a third-set comeback. —Manasi Pathak, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

The city is currently undergoing an effort to revitalize the downtown area, although not all residents are happy with the renovations so far. —Shawn Raymundo, The Arizona Republic, 5 Nov. 2024

Federal prosecutors, who rested their case Thursday, said Abdullah plotted the attack for four years, undergoing extensive training in explosives and how to operate in secret and avoid detection. —CBS News, 5 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