undertaking

noun

un·​der·​tak·​ing ˈən-dər-ˌtā-kiŋ How to pronounce undertaking (audio)
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

Examples of undertaking in a Sentence

The restoration of the old theater is a huge undertaking. He advised us against such a risky undertaking.
Recent Examples on the Web Landrigan, however, was the lead author of a massive undertaking by the Minderoo – Monaco Commission on Plastics and Human Health, a global consortium of scientists, health care workers and policy analysts charged with following plastics from creation to final product. Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 14 Mar. 2024 In a county that sprawls across more than 4,000 square miles, transporting ballots to the City of Industry facility on election day is also a massive logistical undertaking. Julia Wick, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2024 Scaling to two or more locations is a large undertaking. Brandi Watterson, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 But Kolbe, the former CIA directorate of operations official, said the Kremlin would most likely see trying to penetrate U.S. voting systems as a low-risk undertaking. Kevin Collier, NBC News, 26 Feb. 2024 For the United States, pursuing criminal charges against top foreign officials is a rare and complicated undertaking. Natalie Kitroeff, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2024 The two-year endeavor was a challenging undertaking. Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 8 Feb. 2024 Getting critics to watch and review a movie about Burt Reynolds was a massive undertaking. Christopher Null, WIRED, 7 Feb. 2024 The Mitchell restoration is the latest stage in a broader undertaking by Beloved Community Services to restore at least six historically significant buildings in a five-square-block area of Upton, a historic neighborhood just west of State Center. Jonathan Pitts, Baltimore Sun, 5 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'undertaking.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of undertaking was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near undertaking

Cite this Entry

“Undertaking.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/undertaking. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

undertaking

noun
un·​der·​tak·​ing ˈən-dər-ˌtā-kiŋ How to pronounce undertaking (audio)
ˌən-dər-ˈtā-kiŋ;
 sense 1b is  ˈən-dər-ˌtā-kiŋ,
 only 
1
a
: the act of a person who undertakes something
b
: the business of an undertaker
2
: something undertaken

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.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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