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
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
Applying research Scientists undertake basic research to generate new knowledge with no specific end goal in mind.
—
Ryan Summers, The Conversation, 3 Oct. 2025
O’Brady is now set to undertake another nearly 2,000-mile solo, unsupported crossing of Antarctica for a Netflix documentary from My Octopus Teacher director James Reed.
—Peter White, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2025
State agencies, including DWR, the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, CAL FIRE, Caltrans, the California Geological Survey and the California Conservation Corps, undertook extensive missions to protect communities and water resources from wildfire and flood impacts.
—Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Oct. 2025
In March 2023, Prince William undertook a solo trip to Poland to thank British and Polish troops involved in the conflict and responding to the humanitarian crisis on the front lines.
—Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for undertake
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Ryan Summers, The Conversation, 3 Oct. 2025
O’Brady is now set to undertake another nearly 2,000-mile solo, unsupported crossing of Antarctica for a Netflix documentary from My Octopus Teacher director James Reed.
—Peter White, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2025
State agencies, including DWR, the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, CAL FIRE, Caltrans, the California Geological Survey and the California Conservation Corps, undertook extensive missions to protect communities and water resources from wildfire and flood impacts.
—Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Oct. 2025
In March 2023, Prince William undertook a solo trip to Poland to thank British and Polish troops involved in the conflict and responding to the humanitarian crisis on the front lines.
—Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 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 10 Oct. 2025.
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undertake
verb
un·der·take
ˌən-dər-ˈtāk
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