undertaking
noun
un·der·tak·ing ˈən-dər-ˌtā-kiŋ 
ˌən-dər-ˈtā-;
sense 1b is only ˈən-dər-ˌtā-
1
a
: the act of one who undertakes or engages in a project or business
b
: the business of an undertaker
2
: something undertaken : enterprise
3
: pledge, guarantee
Example Sentences
The restoration of the old theater is a huge undertaking. He advised us against such a risky undertaking.
Recent Examples on the Web And then there’s TWBTA’s highest-profile undertaking to date, the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago. 
Ian Volner, WSJ, 9 Sep. 2022 In Place Gates’s GERM team may sound like a massive undertaking, perhaps even impossible. Sylvain Gariel, Forbes, 15 Aug. 2022 Currently, there are only two pathways to finance such an undertaking: massive government subsidies or allowing private industry to fund these projects by linking them to oil wells that will produce crude, says CarbonPlan’s Cullenward. Los Angeles Times, 25 July 2022 Pregnancy is an enormous and risky undertaking, which for many people engenders a new kind of uncertainty and anxiety. Maggie Mertens, The Atlantic, 22 July 2022 Transitioning is such a complicated undertaking -- emotionally, physically, socially, psychologically -- but Haris has met each challenge with grace, patience, and wisdom. CNN, 13 July 2022 Röyksopp assembled another enviable roster of performers to carry out their latest undertaking, including longtime collaborator Susanne Sundfør, as well as newer recruits, like Goldfrapp’s Alison Goldfrapp, Pixx and Astrid S. Bradley Stern, Billboard, 15 June 2022 But the undertaking, which required the caskets be produced in under a week, had its challenges. Shannon Larson, BostonGlobe.com, 1 June 2022 Comedian Bo Burnham passed time during the pandemic with the undertaking of a grand creative project: writing, filming, directing, editing, and performing his existential musical comedy special Inside. Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 31 May 2022 See More
Ian Volner, WSJ, 9 Sep. 2022 In Place Gates’s GERM team may sound like a massive undertaking, perhaps even impossible. Sylvain Gariel, Forbes, 15 Aug. 2022 Currently, there are only two pathways to finance such an undertaking: massive government subsidies or allowing private industry to fund these projects by linking them to oil wells that will produce crude, says CarbonPlan’s Cullenward. Los Angeles Times, 25 July 2022 Pregnancy is an enormous and risky undertaking, which for many people engenders a new kind of uncertainty and anxiety. Maggie Mertens, The Atlantic, 22 July 2022 Transitioning is such a complicated undertaking -- emotionally, physically, socially, psychologically -- but Haris has met each challenge with grace, patience, and wisdom. CNN, 13 July 2022 Röyksopp assembled another enviable roster of performers to carry out their latest undertaking, including longtime collaborator Susanne Sundfør, as well as newer recruits, like Goldfrapp’s Alison Goldfrapp, Pixx and Astrid S. Bradley Stern, Billboard, 15 June 2022 But the undertaking, which required the caskets be produced in under a week, had its challenges. Shannon Larson, BostonGlobe.com, 1 June 2022 Comedian Bo Burnham passed time during the pandemic with the undertaking of a grand creative project: writing, filming, directing, editing, and performing his existential musical comedy special Inside. Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 31 May 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Phrases Containing undertaking
Kids Definition
undertaking
noun
un·der·tak·ing ˈən-dər-ˌtā-kiŋ
: an important or difficult task or project
Creating a mural is a big undertaking.
Legal Definition
undertaking
noun
un·der·tak·ing
1
: a promise or pledge especially required by law
2
: something (as cash or a written promise) deposited or given as security especially in a court
Note: Undertakings are often required of one party during property actions (as for attachment) in order to compensate the other party should the court's action (as in attaching the property) be found unjustified later.
undertaking 1 of 2
noun
1
as in endeavor
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- endeavor
- striving
- struggle
- attempt
- throes
- offer
- try
- bid
- assay
- go
- essay
- pass
- trial
- stab
- whirl
- fling
- bash
- whack
- crack
- shot
- trial and error
2
as in contract
Synonyms & Similar Words
- contract
- assurance
- agreement
- guarantee
- guaranty
- commitment
- obligation
- compact
- arrangement
- covenant
- warranty
- deposit
- security
- engagement
- token
- gage
- bond
- promise
- appointment
- pledge
- bail
- oath
- pawn
- vow
- word
- troth
3
as in initiative
Synonyms & Similar Words
- initiative
- enterprise
- experience
- doing
- work
- adventure
- performance
- accomplishment
- act
- proceeding
- achievement
- activity
- attainment
- deed
- emprise
- dealing
- operation
- action
- procedure
- handiwork
- stunt
- feat
- maneuver
- move
- trick
- thing
- exploit
- step
- measure
- tactic
- coaction
undertaking
2 of 2verb
as in accepting
to take to or upon oneself undertook the responsibility of raising the orphaned children as their own Synonyms & Similar Words
- accepting
- assuming
- shouldering
- bearing
- embracing
- adopting
- taking over
- supporting
- endorsing
- advocating
- consenting
- backing
- acquiescing
- upholding
- assenting
- agreeing
- championing
- acceding
- indorsing
- taking up
- standing by
- reaccepting
- espousing
- reassuming
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- repudiating
- renouncing
- disowning
- disclaiming
- withdrawing
- refusing
- disavowing
- retracting
- rejecting
- abjuring
- avoiding
- taking back
- recanting
- declining
- turning down
- forbearing
- spurning
- abandoning
- relinquishing
- bypassing
- detouring
- unsaying
- forsaking
- abstaining (from)
- surrendering
- refraining (from)
- backtracking
- spurning
- abnegating
- backing off
- backing down
- giving up