endeavor

American  

[en-dev-er] / ɛnˈdɛv ər /

especially British, endeavour

verb (used without object)

1. to exert oneself to do or effect something; make an effort; strive.

   We must constantly endeavor if we are to succeed.

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verb (used with object)

1. to attempt; try.

   He endeavors to keep things neat in his apartment.

2. Archaic. to attempt to achieve or gain.

noun

1. a strenuous effort; attempt.

Related Words

See try. See effort.

Other Word Forms

• endeavorer noun
• preendeavor noun

Etymology

Origin of endeavor

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English endeveren, from the phrase putten in devoir “to make an effort, assume responsibility”; compare Anglo-French se mettre en deveir. See en- ¹, devoir

Example Sentences

"Once we confirmed the phenomenon, the research became an entirely different scientific endeavor."

From Science Daily • Mar. 30, 2026

The endeavor will be backed by a joint investment of up to $1 billion over five years.

From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026

For most adults, reading is a private endeavor, intrinsic to selfhood.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 1, 2026

She told me about her recent endeavor in speed dating: events sponsoring timed one-on-one “dates” with multiple candidates.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 27, 2026

A day felt like a lengthy endeavor; a year, unfathomably long.

From "How It Went Down" by Kekla Magoon

Related Words

• aim
• effort
• enterprise
• struggle
• undertaking
• venture