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 Princess of Wales has been undertaking more royal engagements in 2025 having been largely out of the public eye in 2024. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025 China has undertaken similar rendezvous and proximity operations to those referenced by Guetlein in the past, but this incident appears to have involved more satellites than others, Victoria Samson, SWF’s chief director of space security and stability, told CNN. Simone McCarthy, CNN, 21 Mar. 2025 These two outer planets, which lie farther from the sun than Earth so can't undertake us like Venus and Mercury, are called superior planets by astronomers. Jamie Carter, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025 Since the 2018-19 season, with KSE assuming sole ownership, Arsenal have undertaken a clear shift in strategy, parting with a net £857.2million transfer spend. Chris Weatherspoon, The Athletic, 20 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 29 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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