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, endecott, john, ended, endemic

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 formsen·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 Formsendeavourer 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

Word Origin and History for endeavour (1 of 3)

endeavour

chiefly British English spelling of endeavor (q.v.); for spelling, see -or. Related: Endeavoured; endeavoring; endeavours.

Word Origin and History for endeavour (1 of 3)

endeavor

c.1400; see endeavor (n.). Related: Endeavored; endeavoring.

Word Origin and History for endeavour (2 of 3)

endeavor

early 15c., "pains taken to attain an object," literally "in duty," from phrase put (oneself) in dever "make it one's duty" (a partial translation of Old French mettre en deveir "put in duty"), from Old French dever "duty," from Latin debere "to owe" (see debt). One's endeavors meaning one's "utmost effort" is from late 15c.