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

There was also no aggressive move into — and subsequent pullback from — China, which many big brands undertook in the early 2020s. — Ashley Ogawa Clarke, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2026

Chutkan had already said the administration must give the court 48 hours before undertaking any activities related to or in preparation for construction of the arch. — ABC News, 28 Oct. 2026

Elliott, who is 56 and a software engineer by trade, touted an effort his office undertook in September after the storms in which communities can borrow up to $1 million at 2% interest for cleanup and repairs. — Michelle L. Quinn, Chicago Tribune, 27 Oct. 2026

Like his boss back in Washington, Kushner had undertaken an ambitious makeover of his temporary home, funded largely by donations from French businesspeople. — Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 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