undertaking
|un-der-tak-ing|
🇺🇸
/ˈʌndərˌteɪkɪŋ/
🇬🇧
/ˈʌndəˌteɪkɪŋ/
(undertake)
take on responsibility
Etymology
'undertaking' originates from Middle English, specifically the word 'undertaken,' where 'under-' meant 'beneath' and 'taken' meant 'to take.'
'undertaken' transformed into the modern English word 'undertaking' through the addition of the suffix '-ing.'
Initially, it meant 'to take on a task,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a task or project, especially one that is large or difficult.
Building the bridge was a massive undertaking.
Synonyms
Noun 2
the act of taking on a responsibility or commitment.
He gave an undertaking to complete the work by Friday.
Synonyms
Idioms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:41