undertaking

1 of 2

noun

un·​der·​tak·​ing ˈən-dər-ˌtā-kiŋ 

ˌən-dər-ˈtā-;

sense 1b is ˈən-dər-ˌtā- only

1

a

: the act of one who undertakes or engages in a project or business

b

: the business of an undertaker

2

: something undertaken : enterprise

3

: pledge, guarantee

undertaking

2 of 2

present participle of undertake

Examples of undertaking in a Sentence

Noun

The restoration of the old theater is a huge undertaking.

He advised us against such a risky undertaking.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

This massive undertaking was set to be phased over five years, starting in 2025. — Megan Molteni, STAT, 2 Oct. 2026

Even getting enough solar panels into orbit would be a massive undertaking at that scale. — Peter Hall, Scientific American, 1 Oct. 2026

The Park Service recently began preliminary steps toward rebuilding it, an undertaking that could cost hundreds of millions of dollars. — Rick Maese, Washington Post, 30 Sep. 2026

Among Murdoch’s undertakings were that the newspapers’ editors would maintain control of their political policies and that the editors would have full independence from Murdoch’s orders about the mix of news and opinion in their pages. — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing undertaking

• give an undertaking

Rhymes for undertaking

• merrymaking
• moneymaking
• overtaking
• papermaking
• aching
• baking
• braking
• breaking
• caking
• faking
• flaking
• making

Kids Definition

undertaking

noun

un·​der·​tak·​ing ˈən-dər-ˌtā-kiŋ 

ˌən-dər-ˈtā-kiŋ;

sense 1b is ˈən-dər-ˌtā-kiŋ

only

1

a

: the act of a person who undertakes something

b

: the business of an undertaker

2

: something undertaken

Legal Definition

undertaking

noun

un·​der·​tak·​ing

1

: a promise or pledge especially required by law

2

: something (as cash or a written promise) deposited or given as security especially in a court

Note: Undertakings are often required of one party during property actions (as for attachment) in order to compensate the other party should the court's action (as in attaching the property) be found unjustified later.