undertake
Americanverb (used with object)
-
undertakes,
present (3rd person singular)
-
undertook,
past
-
undertaken,
past participle
-
undertaking
present participle
-
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)
-
undertakes,
present (3rd person singular)
-
undertook,
past
-
undertaken,
past participle
-
undertaking
present participle
verb
-
(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
-
archaic to make oneself responsible (for)
-
(tr) to promise
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
undertakesimple
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undertakessimple
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have undertakenperfect
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has undertakenperfect
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am undertakingprogressive
-
are undertakingprogressive
-
is undertakingprogressive
-
have been undertakingperfect progressive
-
has been undertakingperfect progressive
Past
-
undertooksimple
-
had undertakenperfect
-
was undertakingprogressive
-
were undertakingprogressive
-
had been undertakingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of undertake
First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English undertaken; see under-, take
Explanation
When you undertake a task or challenge, you attempt to accomplish it. If you want to undertake a verbal challenge right now, try saying “sushi chef” ten times quickly without messing up. Way back in the 13th century, undertake meant “seize” or “entrap.” Of course, the meaning has shifted significantly since then, and we hope you don’t feel entrapped when you decide to undertake a project. However, undertake does convey a level of commitment and involvement that’s somewhat stronger than the words try or attempt might suggest.
Vocabulary lists containing undertake
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
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Franklin D. Roosevelt, "A Date That Will Live In Infamy" (1941)
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The Mayflower Compact (1620)
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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.
See Examples For:
But last month, it agreed with local authorities to expand the facility’s footprint by 40%, or nearly 50 acres, for a new training center and to undertake other upgrades that will expand capacity.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 25, 2026
Foreign nationals cannot sit China's bar exam, although they can undertake certain legal work at Chinese law firms.
From Barron's ● Oct. 14, 2026
"However, this may not be obvious through our existing systems and so researchers are also advised to undertake appropriate due diligence to identify the ultimate source of funding for collaborations with Chinese institutions."
From BBC ● Oct. 4, 2026
Able-bodied South Korean males are usually required to undertake between 18 and 21 months of military service before the age of 28.
From BBC ● Oct. 3, 2026
Since $5.5 million had been invested in their film project, they had a big incentive to remain on the mountain and undertake a summit attempt.
From "Into Thin Air" by Jon Krakauer
Certainly not in the dual doctor roles he undertakes here.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 23, 2026
Unitree’s humanoid robots can walk, run and climb and “can imitate & reinforce the learning drive” said the company, referring to algorithms that train the robot’s artificial intelligence as it undertakes tasks.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 19, 2026
The visit came as part of Royal Week in Scotland, where the royal family undertakes a series of engagements north of the border.
From BBC ● Jul. 2, 2026
In the memorandum of understanding, the United States undertakes to "terminate all types of sanctions against" Iran, and to "make fully available for use the frozen or restricted funds and assets" of Iran.
From Barron's ● Jun. 22, 2026
If Miss Taylor undertakes to wrap Miss Emma up, you need not have any fears, sir.’
From "Emma" by Jane Austen
Most of the spending the Biden administration undertook was related to COVID, including financial assistance for households affected by the pandemic, which I don’t recall provoked much backlash.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 5, 2026
The researchers undertook a CT scan of the fossil, creating a 3D model of this part of the skull.
From BBC ● Oct. 14, 2026
In all, she undertook three spacewalks on August 18 and 25, and September 1.
From Barron's ● Oct. 8, 2026
Concern stems from recent reports that Anthropic blocked use of AI tools to develop bioweapons and that swarms of AI bots autonomously undertook massive hacking operations.
From Salon ● Sep. 14, 2026
The cannonade which had disturbed our labors being at an end, the corporal called to us to continue our binding of chevaux de frise, which labor we undertook again in silence.
From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves" by M.T. Anderson
Some responses to the wreckage can be undertaken through new leadership.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 5, 2026
This sentence could refer to any number of actions undertaken by the department in recent months.
From Slate ● Nov. 3, 2026
His campaign attracted many PRI dissidents who opposed the free-market economic reforms undertaken by then-President Miguel de la Madrid.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 29, 2026
Speaking to the media on Thursday, McDermott likened it to the hapless journey undertaken by Steve Martin and John Candy in their 1987 road-trip comedy.
From BBC ● Oct. 22, 2026
My own tablecloth, undertaken reluctantly but in the long run drawing out my most dedicated efforts.
From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver
"This is going to be really difficult for me personally, 100%," acknowledged Evans, who is undertaking his second challenge for the BBC charity fundraiser, following his 24-hour drumathon challenge back in 2021.
From BBC ● Nov. 3, 2026
He said the undertaking took an emotional and physical toll.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 29, 2026
Evans also has a biotech start-up, Haemanthus, which is developing laser-based technology to analyze biological samples, an undertaking with echoes of Holmes’ failed blood-testing company.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 26, 2026
But more than anything, he wants to understand Holmes as much as one person can possibly understand another — a patently impossible yet all-too-enticing undertaking.
From Salon ● Oct. 25, 2026
Then Mr. Breland said to Sheriff Strider, “Sheriff, sounds to me like you know more about undertaking than some folks around here.”
From "Mississippi Trial, 1955" by Chris Crowe
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
