undertake
Americanverb (used with object)
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to take upon oneself, as a task, performance, etc.; attempt.
She undertook the job of answering all the mail.
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to promise, agree, or obligate oneself (followed by an infinitive).
The married couple undertook to love, honor, and cherish each other.
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to warrant or guarantee (followed by a clause).
The sponsors undertake that their candidate meets all the requirements.
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to take in charge; assume the duty of attending to.
The lawyer undertook a new case.
verb (used without object)
verb
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(tr) to contract to or commit oneself to (something) or (to do something)
to undertake a job
to undertake to deliver the goods
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(tr) to attempt to; agree to start
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(tr) to take (someone) in charge
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archaic to make oneself responsible (for)
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(tr) to promise
Other Word Forms
- preundertake verb (used with object)
Etymology
Origin of undertake
First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English undertaken; under-, take
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
South Korea's biggest musical act has been on self-described hiatus since 2022 as its members undertook national military service required of all men under the age of 30.
From Barron's
"Thus, the council and the SAG intend to commission a formal process of independent forward-looking review undertaken by an external law firm to ascertain what can be improved from a governance perspective."
From BBC
Retirees need to learn a lot before undertaking the task.
From MarketWatch
Cricket Australia are set to undertake their own end-of-season review of the management of Test wickets.
From Barron's
Greenberg said Cricket Australia would undertake an end-of-season review of the management of Test wickets, conceding that the financial deficits "sting".
From Barron's
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
