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

Coordinating a five-star trip through Egypt has been a disjointed, somewhat haphazard undertaking, with inconsistent service and quality standards from location to location. —Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 21 Dec. 2025

Filming the movie was a huge, seven-month-long undertaking that involved hours in a water tank (for Winslet, without a wetsuit, which led to a case of pneumonia). —Diana Pearl, PEOPLE, 19 Dec. 2025

Such a project along the river’s lower reaches has been talked about for decades but never attempted – long seen as a notoriously challenging undertaking in a remote and treacherous area, difficult even for a country that leads the world in building mega-dams. —Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 17 Dec. 2025

That would be a massive undertaking when it is estimated there are around 250 grounds, at all levels of the pyramid, that are in this position. —Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 17 Dec. 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.