endeavor

[ en-dev-er ]

/ ɛnˈdɛv ər /

verb (used without object)

to exert oneself to do or effect something; make an effort; strive: We must constantly endeavor if we are to succeed.

verb (used with object)

to attempt; try: He endeavors to keep things neat in his apartment.

Archaic. to attempt to achieve or gain.

noun

a strenuous effort; attempt.

Nearby words

endbrain, endcap, endear, endearing, endearment, endeavor, endeavour, endecott, endemic, endemic hematuria, endemic neuritis

Also especially British, en·deav·our.

Origin of endeavor

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

SYNONYMS FOR endeavor

1, 2 See try.

4 See effort.

Related forms

en·deav·or·er; especially British, en·deav·our·er, nounpre·en·deav·or, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for endeavour

Why do you think the popularity of the Oxford trinity—Lewis, Morse, and now prequel Endeavour—continues to endure?
Meet ‘Inspector Lewis’: Kevin Whately on ‘Morse,’ John Thaw, and the End of the Series|Jace Lacob|June 14, 2013|DAILY BEAST
He could not have foreseen the drama attending the twice-delayed launch of the shuttle Endeavour.
Endeavour Launch: NASA's Final Countdown|Peter J. Boyer|May 16, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Apparently, agreement could not be reached, and NASA is now looking for a new launch date—likely, April 29—for the Endeavour.
NASA Endeavour Shuttle Launch Delayed|Peter J. Boyer|April 3, 2011|DAILY BEAST
But this was compounded by the core characteristic of the Nazi endeavour: its ideology.
While the World Watched: The 1944 Warsaw Uprising|Ilana Bet-El|December 29, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Should he speak to the man, or should he endeavour to pass out of the church as though he had not recognised him?
John Caldigate|Anthony Trollope
Tho' I am far from desiring they should stop there: I would have them endeavour to turn it into some useful Channel.
A Dialogue upon the Gardens|William Gilpin
His life was largely spent in the endeavour to imagine the beings of another world.
A Popular Handbook to the National Gallery, Volume I, Foreign Schools|Various
The young falconer should endeavour from the first to keep his charges in such condition that they will always come to the lure.
The Art and Practice of Hawking|Edward B. Michell
Ehrlich was the first to endeavour to effect a compromise between the directly opposed views of Rindfleisch and Neumann.
Histology of the Blood|Paul Ehrlich

British Dictionary definitions for endeavour

endeavour

US endeavor

/ (ɪnˈdɛvə) /

verb

to try (to do something)

noun

an effort to do or attain something

Derived Forms

endeavourer or US endeavorer, noun

Word Origin for endeavour

C14: endeveren, from en- 1 + -deveren from dever duty, from Old French deveir; see devoirs

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012