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

The Bayeux Tapestry loan generated considerable controversy before arriving in London, as opponents of the exhibition warned that the fragile textile should not undertake such a journey. — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 24 Sep. 2026

Before undertaking any renovations, the owners lived in the home for two years to get a feel for the place. — Tori Latham, Robb Report, 24 Sep. 2026

Altus eventually agreed to undertake a reconfiguration project that involved removing and replacing the rapid shutdown devices and inspecting and replacing mismatched connectors and all wire management, according to the lawsuit. — Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026

Rajendran, the geoscientist, said both China and India needed to undertake smaller projects that are less politically attractive but less disruptive to people and their environments. — Mamita Bhandari, NPR, 23 Sep. 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