undertake
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to take upon oneself, as a task, performance, etc.; attempt.
She undertook the job of answering all the mail.
-
to promise, agree, or obligate oneself (followed by an infinitive).
The married couple undertook to love, honor, and cherish each other.
-
to warrant or guarantee (followed by a clause).
The sponsors undertake that their candidate meets all the requirements.
-
to take in charge; assume the duty of attending to.
The lawyer undertook a new case.
verb (used without object)
verb
-
(tr) to contract to or commit oneself to (something) or (to do something)
to undertake a job
to undertake to deliver the goods
-
(tr) to attempt to; agree to start
-
(tr) to take (someone) in charge
-
archaic to make oneself responsible (for)
-
(tr) to promise
Other Word Forms
- preundertake verb (used with object)
Etymology
Origin of undertake
First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English undertaken; under-, take
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.
It said repairs were undertaken by an external contractor that did not work a four-day week and that rent arrears were "well below" the national average and affected by cost-of-living pressures.
From BBC
The fact that there are three times as many test days as before last season is a reflection of the size of the change the sport is undertaking this season.
From BBC
Interpol's constitution expressly states that the organisation cannot be used "to undertake any intervention or activities of a political, military, religious or racial character".
From BBC
But as “Hamlet” revivals go, there’s not much insight to be gained from this Herculean undertaking.
From Los Angeles Times
He added that it was “bound to have an impact on the PLA’s current readiness to undertake major, complex military operations in the short to medium term.”
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
