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 of onset

• attack
• assault
• onslaught
• raid
• offensive
• aggression
• offense
• 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

The onset of symptoms In 2022, Marshall started having intractable pain in her abdomen. — Sara Moniuszko, USA Today, 30 July 2026

That was, until she was diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson’s disease at 34 years old. — Wuft News, Miami Herald, 29 July 2026

But since Tusker’s early-onset dementia diagnosis their lives have changed forever. — Alex Ritman, Variety, 29 July 2026

The analysis revealed that less exposure to sugar in utero and early childhood was linked to delaying the onset of dementia by about two and a half years. — Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 29 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1522, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing onset

• adult-onset diabetes
• juvenile-onset diabetes

Rhymes for onset

• abet
• asset
• baguette
• banquette
• barbette
• beget
• beset
• binet
• briquette
• brunet
• brunette
• burette

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