undertake

[ uhn-der-teyk ]

verb (used with object)

, un·der·took [uhn-der-, took], un·der·tak·en, un·der·tak·ing.

1. to take upon oneself, as a task, performance, etc.; attempt:

   She undertook the job of answering all the mail.

2. to promise, agree, or obligate oneself (followed by an infinitive):

   The married couple undertook to love, honor, and cherish each other.

3. to warrant or guarantee (followed by a clause):

   The sponsors undertake that their candidate meets all the requirements.

4. to take in charge; assume the duty of attending to:

   The lawyer undertook a new case.

verb (used without object)

, un·der·took [uhn-der-, took], un·der·tak·en, un·der·tak·ing.

1. Archaic. to engage oneself by promise; give a guarantee, or become surety.

undertake

/ ˌʌndəˈteɪk /

verb

1. tr to contract to or commit oneself to (something) or (to do something)

   to undertake a job

   to undertake to deliver the goods

2. tr to attempt to; agree to start
3. tr to take (someone) in charge
4. archaic.
   intrfoll byfor to make oneself responsible (for)
5. tr to promise

Other Words From

• preun·der·take verb (used with object) preundertook preundertaken preundertaking

Word History and Origins

Origin of undertake¹

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English undertaken; under-, take

Example Sentences

The Secret Service, which will take a lead role, called it “a huge undertaking” and costs are expected to be $1 billion to $2 billion.

From Los Angeles Times

"The Trust has already undertaken an investigation into Mr Trolan's care and identified learning which has been shared with staff," they added.

From BBC

The "shocking" statistics have sparked calls for repeat offenders to undertake mandatory retraining.

From BBC

Thurrock "believes that valuations of the solar assets undertaken by APSE, which they allowed the council to rely on, were negligent and overvalued those assets".

From BBC

However, Sport England said: "The ball strike assessment doesn’t appear to have been undertaken via a specialist qualified consultant."

From BBC

Related Words

• begin
• commence
• guarantee
• initiate
• launch
• offer
• shoulder
• tackle
• try