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

In response to Auty’s claims, Sodexo, the private company that runs the prison, told the BBC it cannot comment on individual cases, but “where complaints are received about any employee, we undertake all appropriate investigations and take necessary actions as needed”.

From BBC

Now, in an effort to build more housing to alleviate the affordability crisis, the city is proposing to supercharge those incentive programs in a way that could result in such projects making even more financial sense to undertake.

From Los Angeles Times

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

From BBC

The current availability of comprehensive data motivated Gössling and his colleagues to undertake the first-of-its-kind assessment of global private jet travel.

From Los Angeles Times

And finally—and most importantly—all of us must continue to reassure every eligible voter that they will have the right to cast their ballots freely, safely, and equally; that their vote will be counted and protected; and that everyone from voters, to poll workers, to election officials, to Boards of Elections, all faithfully undertake our sacred duties to respect the will of the people.

From Slate

Related Words

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