undertake
verb
un·der·take
ˌən-dər-ˈtāk 
undertook
ˌən-dər-ˈtu̇k
; undertaken
ˌən-dər-ˈtā-kən
; undertaking
; undertaken
ˌən-dər-ˈtā-kən
; undertaking
1
: to take upon oneself : set about : attempt
undertake a task
undertake to learn to swim
2
: to put oneself under obligation to perform
also
: to accept as a charge or responsibility
the lawyer who undertook the case
—often followed by to + a verb He undertook to raise his sister's children.
archaic
: to give surety or assume responsibility
Examples of undertake in a Sentence
He's undertaking a thorough search.
The researchers undertook a series of studies.
Recent Examples on the Web
The truth is that the flamenco-fusion artist undertook years of research and hired the London Symphony Orchestra not to teach—nor even, despite her saintly air, to preach.
—
Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 12 Dec. 2025
In order to save their camp, Percy, Annabeth, Grover, and Clarisse undertake a journey through the sea of monsters, and the season has only just begun.
—Billie Melissa, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025
Maryland Democrats may undertake a similar effort to edge out the state's one Republican House member, though the idea has faced resistance from some Democratic legislators.
—Caroline Linton, CBS News, 11 Dec. 2025
That was changed with the only restoration Bonhams mentions, one undertaken by the National Motor Museum.
—Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 10 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for undertake
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Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 12 Dec. 2025
In order to save their camp, Percy, Annabeth, Grover, and Clarisse undertake a journey through the sea of monsters, and the season has only just begun.
—Billie Melissa, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025
Maryland Democrats may undertake a similar effort to edge out the state's one Republican House member, though the idea has faced resistance from some Democratic legislators.
—Caroline Linton, CBS News, 11 Dec. 2025
That was changed with the only restoration Bonhams mentions, one undertaken by the National Motor Museum.
—Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 10 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for undertake
Cite this Entry
“Undertake.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/undertake. Accessed 15 Dec. 2025.
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undertake
verb
un·der·take
ˌən-dər-ˈtāk
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