endeavours

Endeavour (British spelling) or endeavor (American spelling) is a noun meaning a determined effort to achieve something, or a project or undertaking pursued with such effort. The plural form endeavours is common in British usage, while endeavors is preferred in American usage. For example, her endeavours to learn the language paid off.

The verb to endeavour means to try hard to achieve something. For instance, they endeavoured to complete the task before the deadline. In formal writing, phrases such as “to make every endeavour” or “to endeavour to do one’s best” are common.

Endeavour often conveys a sense of careful planning and perseverance and is used across many contexts, including personal development, professional projects, scientific research, and humanitarian or exploratory initiatives. It can describe both the effort itself and the overall undertaking.

In popular culture and history, Endeavour is also used as a proper name. Notably, HMS Endeavour was Captain James Cook’s ship, and NASA’s Space Shuttle Endeavour was named in homage to that voyage. The word appears in various organization names, charitable programs, and literary or media titles as well.