undertake

verb

un·​der·​take ˌən-dər-ˈtāk 

undertook ˌən-dər-ˈtu̇k  ; undertaken ˌən-dər-ˈtā-kən  ; undertaking

transitive verb

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

3

: guarantee, promise

readily undertook that the letter should be securely conveyed

—Sir Walter Scott

intransitive verb

archaic : to give surety or assume responsibility

Synonyms

• accept
• assume
• shoulder

Examples of undertake in a Sentence

He's undertaking a thorough search.

The researchers undertook a series of studies.

Recent Examples on the Web

Air France, for its part, is undertaking a full-cabin makeover that adds business-class suites clad in sumptuous full-grain French leather. —Chris Dong, Robb Report, 18 Oct. 2025

Roundly condemned as an archaeological hoax by scholars, Inghirami undertook to publish a 1,000-page defense of his forgery. —JSTOR Daily, 16 Oct. 2025

There is a mandatory part of the academy scholarship where boys undertake community projects, working with schools in deprived areas close to St James’. —George Caulkin, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025

That’s one of the key findings of a major audience survey undertaken by the BBC as part of preparations to renew its operating agreement, known as the Royal Charter. —Jake Kanter, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for undertake

• overtake
• rattlesnake
• shiitake
• wapentake
• ache
• ake
• bake
• brake
• break
• cake
• craik
• crake

Kids Definition

undertake

verb

un·​der·​take ˌən-dər-ˈtāk 

undertook -ˈtu̇k  ; undertaken -ˈtā-kən  ; undertaking

1

: to take upon oneself as a task : enter upon

undertake a journey

2

: to take on as a duty : agree, contract

undertake to deliver a package