undertaking
Americannoun
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the act of a person who undertakes any task or responsibility.
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a task, enterprise, etc., undertaken.
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a promise; pledge; guarantee.
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the business of an undertaker or funeral director.
noun
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something undertaken; task, venture, or enterprise
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an agreement to do something
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the business of an undertaker
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informal the practice of overtaking on an inner lane a vehicle which is travelling in an outer lane
Etymology
Origin of undertaking
Middle English word dating back to 1325–75; see origin at under, taking
Explanation
Painting a house is a serious undertaking––it looks simple but involves a lot of preparation and hard work. An undertaking is a job or a task you commit to. The word also can mean the profession of funeral management. When you take something under consideration, it means you're not necessarily going to do it, you're just going to think about it. When you take something on, you've undertaken to actually do it. The word undertaking suggests something that involves quite a bit of work. Organizing an Oxfam hunger-day at your school is a significant undertaking, but it's worth all the effort.
Vocabulary lists containing undertaking
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
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Can I Work It? Words for "Job"
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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.
The Oscar-nominated director and Jurassic Park star is undertaking his first UK tour with his jazz band The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra and will be at The Halls on 28 May.
From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026
In undertaking this role, one of the most challenging and revered in 20th-century theater, he willfully—and rewardingly—hides that blazing light under a proverbial bushel.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026
Generally it refers to undertaking an action in accordance with certain principles or values decided by an individual.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026
Liu Pengyu, spokesman for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, said China "welcomes all efforts conducive to peace and supports Pakistan in actively undertaking mediation."
From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026
I ain’t sure who or what dug out such a large space, but it must’ve been a pretty impressive undertaking.
From "Dread Nation" by Justina Ireland
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.
