Definition

1. Noun:
   • A formal pledge or promise to do something: An "undertaking" can refer to a serious commitment or guarantee to perform a specific action or task.
   • A task, project, or enterprise that is undertaken: An "undertaking" is any piece of work, often significant or challenging, that someone sets out to do or accomplish.
   • The business of a funeral director: In a specific professional context, "undertaking" refers to the trade or services related to managing funerals.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • Giving my word was a serious undertaking. (My promise was a significant commitment.)
  • Building the bridge was a massive engineering undertaking. (The bridge construction was a huge project.)
  • He works in the undertaking business. (He is employed in the funeral director profession.)

Advanced Usage

• "to give an undertaking": to make a formal promise or pledge.

  • The company gave an undertaking to improve safety standards. (The company formally promised to enhance safety measures.)

• "a risky undertaking": a project or endeavor that involves significant risk.

  • Starting a new business during a recession is a risky undertaking. (Launching a new company in an economic downturn is a hazardous venture.)

Variants and Related Words

• Undertake (verb): to commit oneself to and begin (an enterprise or responsibility); to pledge or promise to do something.

  • She will undertake the management of the project. (She will take on the responsibility of managing the project.)

• Undertaker (noun): a funeral director.

  • The undertaker arranged all the details for the service. (The funeral director organized all the service arrangements.)

Synonyms

• Enterprise: a project or undertaking, especially a bold or complex one.
• Venture: a risky or daring journey or undertaking.
• Commitment: a pledge or promise; an engagement that restricts freedom of action.
• Pledge: a solemn promise or undertaking.

Related Phrases

• A solemn undertaking: a very serious and formal promise.

  • He made a solemn undertaking to tell the truth. (He gave a very serious promise to be truthful.)

• To be bound by an undertaking: to be obligated by a formal promise.

  • The contractor is bound by an undertaking to complete the work on time. (The contractor is obligated by a formal promise to finish the work by the deadline.)

Noun

1. the trade of a funeral director
2. any piece of work that is undertaken or attempted
   • he prepared for great undertakings