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 move is only the latest in a nationwide redistricting battle that both parties have undertaken to boost their chances of winning the House in the November midterm elections. —Hailey Bullis, The Washington Examiner, 22 Apr. 2026

An effort to come up with a new mascot was undertaken in 2014 but ultimately stalled when the committee charged with choosing the winner could not decide between a fox or a lion, Pennington said. —Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026

The suit, filed Monday, claims the plan to open a new city men’s intake center at 8 East 3rd St was rushed and undertaken without enough public review. —Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2026

Several California cities have undertaken efforts to reduce or eliminate flocks of feral peacocks. —Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 21 Apr. 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