# undertaking

/ˈəndɝˌteɪkɪŋ/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/undertaking
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. a major task or project

noun · CEFR B2

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

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

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

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

a formal promise or agreement to do something.

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

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

### 3. funeral business

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal

the business of managing funerals and preparing bodies for burial.

For teachers: the professional management of funeral arrangements and the disposal of the dead.

- The family has been in the business of undertaking for three generations.
- He decided to pursue a career in undertaking, viewing the service as a vital support for grieving families in the community.

## Examples

- Building a new house is a massive undertaking.
- The restoration of the historic cathedral proved to be a costly and time-consuming undertaking for the city.
- Launching a satellite into orbit is a complex undertaking that requires the seamless coordination of thousands of engineers and scientists across multiple continents.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.