What does "undertaking" mean?

1. (a major task or project) a job, task, or piece of work that is often difficult or takes a long time. 2. (a formal promise) a formal promise or agreement to do something. 3. (funeral business) the business of managing funerals and preparing bodies for burial.

How do you use "undertaking"?

Often followed by a 'that' clause or an infinitive.

undertaking

US //ˈəndɝˌteɪkɪŋ// un·der·tak·ing

1 a major task or project (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

a job, task, or piece of work that is often difficult or takes a long time.

a task, project, or enterprise, typically one that is substantial or requires significant effort.

Example

Building a new house is a massive undertaking that requires careful planning.

Example

The restoration of the cathedral proved to be a monumental undertaking, involving hundreds of specialized craftsmen and years of meticulous labor.
2 a formal promise (n.)
C1 Advanced Formal Law

a formal promise or agreement to do something.

a formal pledge or guarantee to perform a specific action or fulfill a requirement.

Example

The company gave a written undertaking that they would fix the problem.

Example

The defendant provided a formal undertaking to the court, promising to refrain from contacting the witnesses until the trial concluded.

Usage

Often followed by a 'that' clause or an infinitive.

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3 funeral business (n.)
C2 Proficiency Formal

the business of managing funerals and preparing bodies for burial.

the professional management of funeral arrangements and the disposal of the dead.

Example

The family has been in the business of undertaking for three generations.

Example

He decided to pursue a career in undertaking, viewing the service as a vital support for grieving families in the community.
- funeral directing

Origin

By surface analysis, undertake + -ing.

Word family

Verbundertake
Nounundertaker
Nounundertaking