undertaking

American  

[uhn-der-tey-king, uhn-der-tey-, uhn-der-tey-king] / ˌʌn dərˈteɪ kɪŋ, ˈʌn dərˌteɪ-, ˈʌn dərˌteɪ kɪŋ /

noun

1. the act of a person who undertakes any task or responsibility.

2. a task, enterprise, etc., undertaken.

   Synonyms:

   venture, effort, job, endeavor, project

3. a promise; pledge; guarantee.

4. the business of an undertaker or funeral director.

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undertaking British  

/ ˈʌndəˌteɪkɪŋ /

noun

1. something undertaken; task, venture, or enterprise

2. an agreement to do something

3. the business of an undertaker

4. informal the practice of overtaking on an inner lane a vehicle which is travelling in an outer lane

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Etymology

Origin of undertaking

Middle English word dating back to 1325–75; under, taking

Example Sentences

It is such a massive undertaking, such a logistical complication to train a team and take them up to Alaska and run the race.

From Literature

"This is a huge undertaking," he said, describing it as many times bigger than the much-criticised evacuation of Afghanistan in 2021.

From BBC

“We are undertaking a comprehensive, end-to-end evolution of our business-building a Bath & Body Works that is more innovative, more relevant, and easier to shop.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Its Nivea brand has been undertaking a recalibration to more evenly distribute investment across body care and deodorants, instead of focusing mostly on facial products.

From The Wall Street Journal

But for the moment, the American public may view the campaign as a similarly contained undertaking that will, at some point soon, be concluded with few lingering ill effects.

From BBC

Related Words

• affair
• effort
• enterprise
• experiment
• operation
• project
• proposition
• task
• venture