undertaking

noun

un·​der·​tak·​ing ˈən-dər-ˌtā-kiŋ 

ˌən-dər-ˈtā-;

 sense 1b is  only ˈən-dər-ˌtā-

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

Nurturing the public empathy and urgency needed to tackle the problem is a Herculean undertaking of its own. —Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 July 2025

The conservancy's next major undertaking is Beargrass Preserve — a 25-acre piece of land adjacent to Cherokee Park, and the first expansion of the Olmsted system in more than a century. —Connor Giffin, The Courier-Journal, 3 July 2025

What’s next for the downtown market As residential space becomes more limited downtown and office buildings empty, adaptive reuse projects may become more common and financially sound undertakings for developers. —Alysa Guffey, IndyStar, 2 July 2025

Instant settlement on the blockchain for payments and cutting out clearinghouses and other intermediaries is a massive undertaking. —Steven Dudash, Forbes.com, 1 July 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.