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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This proved that an asteroid deflection mission could work if scientists have enough time to design and build it, an undertaking that took about five years for DART. Stephen Clark, Ars Technica, 6 Feb. 2025 That can be a daunting undertaking in a place like New Orleans, where a healthy skepticism of outsiders has long lingered in the civic psyche. David Hudnall, Kansas City Star, 4 Feb. 2025 Employers would face hard decisions about covering costs Some companies might decide to cover the additional tax burden for employees in part or in full, but this could be an expensive undertaking, Godwin said. Cheryl Winokur Munk, CNBC, 2 Feb. 2025 The federal government only began its first real effort to identify the dead and the missing a few years ago — an undertaking that some estimate could take forensic scientists 120 years to complete. Tyler McBrien, The Dial, 28 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for undertaking 

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 11 Feb. 2025.

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.

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