noun
Common
undertaking
UHN-duh-tay-kihng
Undertaking (noun) means a task or project that someone takes responsibility for, especially a large or difficult one. Example: “Renovating the entire building was a huge undertaking.”
noun
1
A task or project that someone takes responsibility for, especially a large or difficult one.
"Renovating the entire building was a huge undertaking."
"Organising a village festival is quite an undertaking, but everyone helps."
"Building a boat by hand was a serious undertaking for the retired teacher."
2
A formal promise or guarantee to do something.
"The company gave an undertaking to fix the defect at no extra cost."
"Nobody troubles to keep his word, to carry out literally his undertakings. In my small way I try to set that right by showing them the logical development of their ways."
— Ernest Bramah, The Eyes of Max Carrados (1923)
"The builder gave an undertaking that the work would be finished before winter."
"Parents signed an undertaking not to park outside the school gates."
How to use undertaking
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA big job you commit to doing, or a formal promise to do something.
Common pairings
a major undertaking
give an undertaking
risky undertaking
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Word forms
- Plural
- undertakings
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Renovating the entire building was a huge _____.
Etymology
Formed from undertake plus -ing.
Related words
Rhymes for undertaking
See all rhymes for undertaking →Frequently asked questions
What does “undertaking” mean?
The word “undertaking” means a task or project that someone takes responsibility for, especially a large or difficult one. In plain terms, a big job you commit to doing, or a formal promise to do something.
How do you pronounce “undertaking”?
“Undertaking” is pronounced UHN-duh-tay-kihng (/ˈʌndə(ɹ)ˌteɪkɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “undertaking” in a sentence?
Here is “undertaking” used in a sentence: “Renovating the entire building was a huge undertaking.”
What part of speech is “undertaking”?
“Undertaking” is a noun.
Is “undertaking” a common word?
“Undertaking” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “undertaking” have?
“Undertaking” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a task or project that someone takes responsibility for, especially a large or difficult one.
What is the difference between undertaking and undertake?
Undertake is the verb describing the act of taking on a task, while undertaking is the noun describing the task or project itself, or a formal promise. For example, someone might undertake a project, and that project is then referred to as the undertaking.
What is the difference between an undertaking and a project?
A project is a general term for any planned piece of work, while an undertaking often implies something larger, more difficult, or requiring significant commitment. Undertaking can also specifically mean a formal promise or guarantee, a sense that project does not carry.
Can undertaking mean a promise rather than a task?
Yes, undertaking can refer to a formal promise or guarantee to do something, particularly in legal, business, or official contexts, such as giving a written undertaking. This is distinct from its other sense as a large or difficult project.
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