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.
Tudor, 47, did not undertake post-match media duties after the defeat by Forest because of the death of his father.
From BBC • Mar. 29, 2026
In a debate, Lord Roberts said "these two noble Lords undertake totally different roles on behalf of the Crown and state from any other of the hereditary peers".
From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026
"Due to ongoing infrastructure defects, we have closed a number of rooms in recent weeks to undertake both planned refurbishment as well as responding to a number of defects."
From BBC • Mar. 16, 2026
Few people lobbied Trump to undertake the riskiest gambit of his presidency as effectively as the hawkish and persistent Graham, who over a decade has held a sometimes close, sometimes tumultuous relationship with Trump.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 7, 2026
But all in all, I can see no genuine reason why I should not undertake this trip.
From "The Remains of the Day" by Kazuo Ishiguro
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.
