undertake

verb

un·​der·​take ˌən-dər-ˈtāk 

undertook ˌən-dər-ˈtu̇k  ; undertaken ˌən-dər-ˈtā-kən  ; 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

—often followed by to + a verb

He undertook to raise his sister's children.

3

: guarantee, promise

… readily undertook that the letter should be securely conveyed …

—Sir Walter Scott

intransitive verb

archaic : to give surety or assume responsibility

Synonyms of undertake

• accept
• assume
• shoulder

Examples of undertake in a Sentence

He's undertaking a thorough search.

The researchers undertook a series of studies.

Recent Examples on the Web

Next weekend’s event is the most ambitious ever undertaken by KSDS, which was founded in 1951 and began its jazz programming in 1973. — George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026

It was also revealed that the development of modern capabilities builds on previous testing undertaken through the Maritime Big Play exercise and experimentation series. — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 16 Aug. 2026

The trip was undertaken on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II as part of her Platinum Jubilee celebrations. — Séraphine Roger, Vanity Fair, 15 Aug. 2026

Phil Buckingham Ipswich Town A more balanced and measured transfer approach has been undertaken by Ipswich this summer compared to their last campaign in the Premier League two years ago. — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for undertake

• overtake
• rattlesnake
• shiitake
• wapentake
• ache
• ake
• bake
• brake
• break
• cake
• craik
• crake

Kids Definition

undertake

verb

un·​der·​take ˌən-dər-ˈtāk 

undertook -ˈtu̇k  ; undertaken -ˈtā-kən  ; 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