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
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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 streaming giant is undertaking an audacious effort to capture fans of one of Crunchyroll’s biggest hits, the pirate fantasy series “One Piece.”
From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026
In a letter responding to Brickell last week, the Electoral Commission said: "We will give this our full consideration, undertaking a review under our regulatory remit."
From BBC • Apr. 30, 2026
However, it said it was now undertaking a review of all its heat networks in light of new Ofgem requirements, which included introducing consumption-based bills wherever feasible and "clear, itemised, transparent billing".
From BBC • Apr. 29, 2026
There is a bit of flexibility, but beyond a certain point it requires building additional infrastructure, a costly and lengthy undertaking.
From Barron's • Apr. 26, 2026
He made a pot of dough in the undertaking business after he got out of Pencey.
From "The Catcher in the Rye" by J. D. Salinger
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.
