undertake
verb
un·der·take
ˌən-dər-ˈtāk 
undertook
ˌən-dər-ˈtu̇k
; undertaken
ˌən-dər-ˈtā-kən
; undertaking
; undertaken
ˌən-dər-ˈtā-kən
; undertaking
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.
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
There are no do-overs in the music industry, but ten years later, Platten is undertaking the next best thing.
—
Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 28 Nov. 2025
The new code has raised the threshold for requiring government permission to undertake retrenchments to 300 employees from 100 and allows states to raise that further.
—Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 27 Nov. 2025
The choice is fitting with the exploration Joan undertakes while trying to find love again with Luke.
—Alamin Yohannes, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Nov. 2025
In January 1610, articles of agreement were signed under which the twelve principal London livery companies agreed to undertake plantation in the new County of Derry (formally County Coleraine and parts of County Tyrone).
—Literary Hub, 25 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for undertake
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Hershal Pandya, Vulture, 28 Nov. 2025
The new code has raised the threshold for requiring government permission to undertake retrenchments to 300 employees from 100 and allows states to raise that further.
—Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 27 Nov. 2025
The choice is fitting with the exploration Joan undertakes while trying to find love again with Luke.
—Alamin Yohannes, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Nov. 2025
In January 1610, articles of agreement were signed under which the twelve principal London livery companies agreed to undertake plantation in the new County of Derry (formally County Coleraine and parts of County Tyrone).
—Literary Hub, 25 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for undertake
Cite this Entry
“Undertake.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/undertake. Accessed 6 Dec. 2025.
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undertake
verb
un·der·take
ˌən-dər-ˈtāk
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