verb (used with object),un·der·took[uhn-der-took], /ˌʌn dərˈtʊk/, un·der·tak·en,un·der·tak·ing.
to take upon oneself, as a task, performance, etc.; attempt: She undertook the job of answering all the mail.
to promise, agree, or obligate oneself (followed by an infinitive): The married couple undertook to love, honor, and cherish each other.
to warrant or guarantee (followed by a clause): The sponsors undertake that their candidate meets all the requirements.
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], /ˌʌn dərˈtʊk/, un·der·tak·en,un·der·tak·ing.
Archaic. to engage oneself by promise; give a guarantee, or become surety.
Origin of undertake
First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English undertaken; see under-, take
OTHER WORDS FROM undertake
pre·un·der·take,verb (used with object),pre·un·der·took,pre·un·der·tak·en,pre·un·der·tak·ing.
Words nearby undertake
understrength, understructure, understudy, undersubscribe, undersurface, undertake, undertaker, undertaking, undertenant, under the aegis of, under the circumstances
We undertook extra mechanical checks which we believed had resolved the issue and informed the supplier.
HumanForest suspends London e-bike sharing service, cuts jobs after customer accident|Natasha Lomas|September 25, 2020|TechCrunch
Scientists around the world are currently undertaking one of the fastest vaccine-development programs in history, trying to get the novel coronavirus under control as quickly as humanly possible.
How To Know When You Can Trust A COVID-19 Vaccine|Maggie Koerth (maggie.koerth-baker@fivethirtyeight.com)|September 23, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
Everyone should also remember that in our daily lives, each of us undertakes activities that pose at least a little risk to others.
Philosophy And Psychology Agree – Yelling At People Who Aren’t Wearing Masks Won’t Work|LGBTQ-Editor|September 21, 2020|No Straight News
In it, 1,000 subjects undertook a three-month exercise program to see whether it would lower their blood pressure.
Why Altitude Training Helps Some but Not Others|Alex Hutchinson|September 11, 2020|Outside Online
NASA and Boeing subsequently undertook a comprehensive review of Boeing’s software development program, as well as the agency’s own practices surrounding the public-private partnership, and determined a number of corrective actions.
Boeing and NASA target December for second try at uncrewed orbital demonstration flight|Darrell Etherington|August 28, 2020|TechCrunch
(1) Only charities and non-profits should ask for unpaid workers to staff their operations or undertake time-consuming projects.
Rich People Want You to Work for Free|Ted Gioia|October 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“However, it is still unclear to me if the U.S. and its allies are prepared to undertake such a comprehensive approach,” he says.
Obama's Iraq-Syria Dilemma: No Force Now on the Ground Can Beat ISIS|Jamie Dettmer|August 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
His gun is available to anyone willing to undertake a few minutes of Internet research.
The Assassin's Gun: Internet Liberty Gone Way Too Far|David Frum|May 11, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Pronouncing illegality, governments will often undertake demolitions of slum houses.
They All Fall Down: The Perils of Mumbai Housing|Dilip D’Souza|April 12, 2013|DAILY BEAST
She will be remembered as a strong leader and a person willing to undertake difficult tasks to achieve long-term objectives.
Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan: The Ultimate ’80s Power Couple|George Shultz|April 8, 2013|DAILY BEAST
After a great deal of trouble and persuasion, I prevailed upon Mr. F. Crockford to undertake it, and we made out the bill of fare.
Soyer's Culinary Campaign|Alexis Soyer
Can I undertake anything of consequence till I have crushed the pride of such a people?
Anne of Geierstein|Walter Scott
If she died, would Beauvouloir undertake the care of the poor child's health?
The Hated Son|Honore de Balzac
These four statements I undertake, in the course of our future study, gradually to confirm to you.
The Eagle's Nest|John Ruskin
How could he have been such a fool as to undertake such a task under the eyes of so many lookers-on?
The Small House at Allington|Anthony Trollope
British Dictionary definitions for undertake
undertake
/ (ˌʌndəˈteɪk) /
verb-takes, -taking, -tookor-taken
(tr)to contract to or commit oneself to (something) or (to do something)to undertake a job; to undertake to deliver the goods
(tr)to attempt to; agree to start
(tr)to take (someone) in charge
(intr foll by for) archaicto make oneself responsible (for)