endeavour
Britishverb
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of endeavour
C14: endeveren , from en- 1 + -deveren from dever duty, from Old French deveir; see devoirs
Explanation
To endeavour is to strive for something. The endeavour itself is the thing you're striving for, the enterprise or undertaking. It's a primarily British spelling of the word. The Middle English root of endeavour means to "put oneself in" or "do one's utmost," so if you endeavour to do something, you do it with earnestness and a fair amount of effort. Americans usually spell the word endeavor, but NASA named one of its space shuttles the Endeavour. Why the extra "u"? NASA was honoring the HMS Endeavour, the first ship ever used by the British explorer Captain James Cook.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The BBC said Evans' challenge would be the "greatest ever distance" covered in a Radio 2 endeavour for the charity.
From BBC ● Sep. 26, 2026
They said their father "understood that while talent may be distributed equally, opportunity is not, and that those who demonstrate determination and endeavour should have the chance to fulfill their potential".
From BBC ● Sep. 22, 2026
"GTA 6 is an enormous endeavour," says Yin-Poole.
From BBC ● Aug. 21, 2026
Watt added that the firm "should be owned by the equity punks and I will endeavour to ensure that happens".
From BBC ● Jul. 15, 2026
“But if a woman is partial to a man, and does not endeavour to conceal it, he must find it out.”
From "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
