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View synonyms for

undertake

[ uhn-der-teyk ]

verb (used with object)

undertook undertaken, undertaking.
  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)

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

undertake

/ ˌʌԻəˈٱɪ /

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
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Word Forms

  • u··ٲ verb (used with object) preundertook preundertaken preundertaking
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Word History and Origins

Origin of undertake1

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

Examples have not been reviewed.

It had also undertaken house-to-house inquiries at nearby properties and taken statements from witnesses.

From

Det Insp Butt said a post-mortem examination was undertaken at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff where the cause of death was found to be a "complex sharp force injury to the neck area".

From

The Post Office has said that it has not undertaken any prosecutions related to Horizon since 2015 and "has no intention of doing so".

From

JSO's model involved small groups of committed activists undertaking targeted actions designed to cause maximum disruption or public outrage.

From

There are certainly less demanding challenges the 27-year-old could have undertaken to provide the mental refresh he sought after a career-defining year.

From

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