undertake
verb
un·der·take
ˌən-dər-ˈtāk 
undertook
ˌən-dər-ˈtu̇k
; undertaken
ˌən-dər-ˈtā-kən
; undertaking
; undertaken
ˌən-dər-ˈtā-kən
; undertaking
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
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
Therefore, resolution – the state of being firmly resolute – leads to a few self-evident realizations, all of which, in turn, compel us to undertake some serious responsibilities.
—
Eli Amdur, Forbes, 29 Dec. 2024
After losing to Ronald Reagan in the 1980 presidential election, Carter returned to his modest home in Plains, Georgia, and soon began undertaking diplomatic missions, volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, and teaching Sunday school at his local church.
—Alan Taylor, The Atlantic, 29 Dec. 2024
And Donald Trump, Musk and Ramaswamy can demonstrate there is genuine political wind at their backs to undertake DOGE’s formidable and complex mission.
—Stuart N. Brotman, Boston Herald, 26 Dec. 2024
Archival images extended the imaginative world and conveyed the actual investigation the main character in the film undertakes as revelations are made about the Nickel Academy’s brutal legacy.
—Joslyn Barnes, Los Angeles Times, 17 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for undertake 
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.
Eli Amdur, Forbes, 29 Dec. 2024
After losing to Ronald Reagan in the 1980 presidential election, Carter returned to his modest home in Plains, Georgia, and soon began undertaking diplomatic missions, volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, and teaching Sunday school at his local church.
—Alan Taylor, The Atlantic, 29 Dec. 2024
And Donald Trump, Musk and Ramaswamy can demonstrate there is genuine political wind at their backs to undertake DOGE’s formidable and complex mission.
—Stuart N. Brotman, Boston Herald, 26 Dec. 2024
Archival images extended the imaginative world and conveyed the actual investigation the main character in the film undertakes as revelations are made about the Nickel Academy’s brutal legacy.
—Joslyn Barnes, Los Angeles Times, 17 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for undertake
Dictionary Entries Near undertake
Cite this Entry
“Undertake.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/undertake. Accessed 5 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
undertake
verb
un·der·take
ˌən-dər-ˈtāk
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share