onset

noun

on·​set ˈȯn-ˌset 

ˈän-

1

: attack, assault

withstand the onset of the army

2

: beginning, commencement

the onset of winter

the onset of age-related diseases

Synonyms

• aggression
• assault
• attack
• attempt
• blitz
• blitzkrieg
• charge
• coup de main
• descent
• offense
• offence
• offensive
• onslaught
• raid
• rush
• strike

Examples of onset in a Sentence

the walls withstood the onset of the first battalion

the claim that if you take enough vitamin C at the onset of a cold, you'll often recover faster

Recent Examples on the Web

Another group of researchers found that the increasing prevalence of microplastics parallels the alarming recent rise in early onset cancers. —Dylan Scott, Vox, 24 Sep. 2024

These harmful stereotypes keep women dangerously silent, and very few people speak about one of the first and most debilitating symptoms of perimenopause, which is new onset or worsening anxiety or depression. —Kacy Fleming, Flow Space, 23 Sep. 2024

The Fed on Wednesday cut rates by half a point, marking its first rate cut since the onset of the Covid pandemic and bringing rates down from a 23-year high. —Krystal Hur, CNN, 19 Sep. 2024

Read: The unexpected power of seeing yourself as a villain Unlike Jennifer, Carrie and Nancy are outsiders, and the onset of their supernatural strength brings about a sudden social relevance that changes them for the worse. —Rafaela Bassili, The Atlantic, 18 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1522, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing onset

• adult-onset diabetes
• juvenile-onset diabetes

Kids Definition

onset

noun

on·​set ˈȯn-ˌset 

ˈän-

1

: attack entry 2 sense 1

2

: beginning sense 1

Medical Definition

onset

noun

on·​set ˈȯn-ˌset, ˈän- 

: the initial existence or symptoms of a disease

the onset of scarlet fever