undertake

verb

un·​der·​take ˌən-dər-ˈtāk How to pronounce undertake (audio)
undertook ˌən-dər-ˈtu̇k How to pronounce undertake (audio) ; undertaken ˌən-dər-ˈtā-kən How to pronounce undertake (audio) ; undertaking
Synonyms of undertakenext

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
—often followed by to + a verb
He undertook to raise his sister's children.
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 of undertake

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Examples of undertake in a Sentence

He's undertaking a thorough search. The researchers undertook a series of studies.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Thu’s team hand-cut roughly 65 kilos of noodles, one of many marathon prep sessions undertaken in pursuit of authenticity. — Karen Yuan, Vogue, 3 July 2026 But before all of that, Hoboken undertook a systematic effort to catalog its sidewalks and their condition. — Wes Marshall, The Conversation, 2 July 2026 Harry is also set to undertake visits to patronages like WellChild and Scotty’s Little Soldiers. — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 1 July 2026 The number of times Spain has previously undertaken mass legalization measures for immigrants living and working illegally in the country. — Suman Naishadham, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for undertake

Word History

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of undertake was in the 14th century

Rhymes for undertake

See All Rhymes for undertake

Browse Nearby Words

undertail
undertake
undertaker
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Undertake.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/undertake. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

undertake

verb
un·​der·​take ˌən-dər-ˈtāk How to pronounce undertake (audio)
undertook -ˈtu̇k How to pronounce undertake (audio) ; undertaken -ˈtā-kən How to pronounce undertake (audio) ; 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

More from Merriam-Webster on undertake

Nglish: Translation of undertake for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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