undertaking

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

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

If updating your entire kitchen is too big of an undertaking, even small changes could still have an impact — consider coordinating appliances and installing modern hardware on your cabinets. —David McMillin, Boston Herald, 29 Nov. 2025

Trump’s plan for the multi-million-dollar undertaking includes a sprawling great room and elaborate gold details. —Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 28 Nov. 2025

Resurfacing any track is a big and costly undertaking, let alone when the track incorporates one of the busiest and most famous bits of road in the world in the form of the Strip. —Madeline Coleman, New York Times, 27 Nov. 2025

Circumnavigating the mountain, the 93-mile backcountry route is a serious, one-to-two-week undertaking. —Zoe Baillargeon, Travel + Leisure, 24 Nov. 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.