undertake

[ uhn-der-teyk ]
/ ˌʌn dərˈteɪk /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR undertake ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), un·der·took [uhn-der-took], /ˌʌn dərˈtʊk/, 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 [uhn-der-took], /ˌʌn dərˈtʊk/, un·der·tak·en, un·der·tak·ing.

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

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Origin of undertake

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

OTHER WORDS FROM undertake

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

Words nearby undertake

understrength, understructure, understudy, undersubscribe, undersurface, undertake, undertaker, undertaking, undertenant, under the aegis of, under the circumstances
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to undertake

shoulder, begin, launch, offer, try, initiate, tackle, commence, guarantee, covenant, stake, pledge, devote, move, bargain, stipulate, embark, promise, contract, venture

Example sentences from the Web for undertake

British Dictionary definitions for undertake

undertake
/ (ˌʌndəˈteɪk) /

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