undertake

[uhn-der-teyk]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR undertake ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), un·der·took, un·der·tak·en, un·der·tak·ing.

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), un·der·took, un·der·tak·en, un·der·tak·ing.

Archaic. to engage oneself by promise; give a guarantee, or become surety.

Nearby words

Origin of undertake

1150–1200; Middle English undertaken; see under-, take

Related formspre·un·der·take, verb (used with object), pre·un·der·took, pre·un·der·tak·en, pre·un·der·tak·ing.

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

Examples from the Web for undertake

(1) Only charities and non-profits should ask for unpaid workers to staff their operations or undertake time-consuming projects.
Rich People Want You to Work for Free|Ted Gioia|October 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“However, it is still unclear to me if the U.S. and its allies are prepared to undertake such a comprehensive approach,” he says.
Obama's Iraq-Syria Dilemma: No Force Now on the Ground Can Beat ISIS|Jamie Dettmer|August 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
His gun is available to anyone willing to undertake a few minutes of Internet research.
The Assassin's Gun: Internet Liberty Gone Way Too Far|David Frum|May 11, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Pronouncing illegality, governments will often undertake demolitions of slum houses.
They All Fall Down: The Perils of Mumbai Housing|Dilip D’Souza|April 12, 2013|DAILY BEAST

She will be remembered as a strong leader and a person willing to undertake difficult tasks to achieve long-term objectives.
Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan: The Ultimate ’80s Power Couple|George Shultz|April 8, 2013|DAILY BEAST
After a great deal of trouble and persuasion, I prevailed upon Mr. F. Crockford to undertake it, and we made out the bill of fare.
Soyer's Culinary Campaign|Alexis Soyer
Can I undertake anything of consequence till I have crushed the pride of such a people?
Anne of Geierstein|Walter Scott
If she died, would Beauvouloir undertake the care of the poor child's health?
The Hated Son|Honore de Balzac
These four statements I undertake, in the course of our future study, gradually to confirm to you.
The Eagle's Nest|John Ruskin
How could he have been such a fool as to undertake such a task under the eyes of so many lookers-on?
The Small House at Allington|Anthony Trollope

British Dictionary definitions for undertake

undertake

verb -takes, -taking, -took or -taken

(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

(intr foll by for) archaic to make oneself responsible (for)

(tr) to promise

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 undertake

undertake

c.1200, "to entrap," in the same sense as Old English underniman (cf. Dutch ondernemen, German unternehmen), of which it is a partial loan-translation, from under + take. Cf. also French entreprendre "to undertake," from entre "between, among" + prendre "to take." The under in this word may be the same one that also may form the first element of understand. Meaning "to accept" is attested from mid-13c.; that of "to take upon oneself, to accept the duty of" is from c.1300.