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

Taking away the licenses of hundreds of nurses would be a huge undertaking for the board, which must prove the licensees did something wrong, said Mayer, who frequently represents nurses facing possible action against their licenses for other reasons. —Annie Martin, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 May 2026

The task involved transferring every patient and piece of medical equipment from one building to the other — a massive undertaking requiring months of planning and coordination. —Nancy Badertscher, AJC.com, 7 May 2026

Section 106 was written precisely to require federal agencies to consider what their undertakings would do to historic properties and commemorative landscapes. —Israel Melendez Ayala, Time, 6 May 2026

Commemoration has been a complicated undertaking in this country from the start. —Jelani Cobb, New Yorker, 4 May 2026

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.