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.
Like many other state environmental protection agencies, Connecticut’s Department of Energy and Environmental Protection receives money appropriated by Congress and uses these funds for its own conservation projects and for those undertaken by land trusts and other organizations via grants. Shelley Harms, Hartford Courant, 28 Feb. 2025 Al Drago | Bloomberg | Getty Images The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s new leadership on Thursday dismissed at least four enforcement lawsuits undertaken by the previous administration’s director. Hugh Son, CNBC, 27 Feb. 2025 The state had previously planned to convert the buildings into affordable housing units, but last year the developer selected to undertake the renovation withdrew from the project. Annika Merrilees, Sacramento Bee, 26 Feb. 2025 In another question, 76% supported undertaking a full scale effort to reduce fraud and waste. Karlyn Bowman, Forbes, 25 Feb. 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Undertake.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/undertake. Accessed 9 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!