undertake

play

verb un·der·take \ˌən-dər-ˈtāk\

Definition of undertake

undertook

play \ˌən-dər-ˈtu̇k\;

undertaken

play \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
3 : guarantee, promise readily undertook that the letter should be securely conveyed — Sir Walter Scott
intransitive verb
archaic : to give surety or assume responsibility

See undertake defined for English-language learners

See undertake defined for kids

Examples of undertake in a Sentence

He's undertaking a thorough search.
The researchers undertook a series of studies.

Recent Examples of undertake from the Web

Gehrig and his managers, meanwhile, undertook contortions to keep his streak going on several occasions.

— john eisenberg, SI.com, "Comparing six major points of the Lou Gehrig and Cal Ripken Jr. consecutive-games streaks", 4 July 2017
Now, The Seattle Times again joins with area news organizations to promote informative coverage of the region’s homeless population and the efforts to being undertaken to house and aid them, and to prevent people from becoming homeless.

— vernal coleman, The Seattle Times, "#SeaHomeless: What you need to know about Seattle’s continuing crisis", 27 June 2017
As director of stewardship, Michael is responsible for the largest fundraising campaign the archdiocese has ever undertaken.

— dan horn, Cincinnati.com, "Abused by a priest, now a champion of the church", 24 June 2017
The Trial' Philip Glass' 26th opera is the first stage work by the prolific American composer to be undertaken by the St. Louis company.

— john von rhein, chicagotribune.com, "Family uprooted and an innocent man condemned in St. Louis Opera Theatre season", 20 June 2017
By the time the work is undertaken, the damage is significantly worse.

— carrie napoleon, Post-Tribune, "Lake moves forward for $12M improvement plan", 16 June 2017
Houenou said the ACLU report was undertaken to shed light on the problems created by the war on marijuana and especially on the racial disparity in enforcing those laws.

— jan hefler, Philly.com, "ACLU report: Blacks in N.J. are arrested for marijuana 3 times as often as whites", 16 June 2017
An ocean crossing is not something to undertake lightly.

— avery thompson, Popular Mechanics, "A 70-Year-Old Man Is Crossing the Atlantic in a Kayak", 8 June 2017
The Shapell Center — the most significant project the museum has undertaken since its opening in 1993 — houses the museum's comprehensive collection on the Holocaust as well as staff from its National Institute for Holocaust Documentation.

— randall p. lieberman, Jewish Journal, "Delray couple donate artifacts cabinet to U.S. Holocaust museum", 7 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'undertake'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of undertake

14th century

UNDERTAKE Defined for English Language Learners

undertake

play

verb

Definition of undertake for English Language Learners

: to begin or attempt (something)
: to agree or promise to do (something)

UNDERTAKE Defined for Kids

undertake

play

verb un·der·take \ˌən-dər-ˈtāk\

Definition of undertake for Students

undertook

\-ˈtu̇k\;

undertaken

\-ˈtā-kən\;

undertaking

1 : to plan or try to accomplish They undertook a trip around the world.
2 : to take on as a responsibility : agree I undertake to deliver your package.