undertaking

noun

un·​der·​tak·​ing ˈən-dər-ˌtā-kiŋ 

ˌən-dər-ˈtā-;

 sense 1b is  only ˈən-dər-ˌtā-

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

Examples of undertaking in a Sentence

The restoration of the old theater is a huge undertaking.

He advised us against such a risky undertaking.

Recent Examples on the Web

Two Paths to the Finals The Aces and Mercury took very different paths to the Finals, but both were equally difficult undertakings. —Devin Robertson, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025

That seems like quite a serious undertaking for a half-hour comedy about a disgraced former college football player who sets off to redeem himself by catfishing his way into becoming the quarterback for an underdog team in south Georgia. —Katie Campione, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2025

But Rams head coach Sean McVay has almost always managed to turn the undertaking into a positive result in his nine seasons in Los Angeles. —Adam Grosbard, Oc Register, 29 Sep. 2025

While the movie easily races from one scene to another at a break-neck pace, behind the scenes, the local production work was a massive undertaking, bringing together public officials from multiple city, county and federal agencies. —Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

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.