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

The percentage of girls experiencing menarche, or the onset of menstruation before the age of 11, increased from 8.6% to 15.5%, and the number of girls starting menstruation before age 9 more than doubled. —Devika Rao, theweek, 10 June 2024

Abrupt onset of intensive human occupation 44,000 years ago on the threshold of Sahul. Before joining Discover Magazine, Paul Smaglik spent over 20 years as a science journalist, specializing in U.S. life science policy and global scientific career issues. —Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 22 May 2024

The deployment has divided the East African nation from the onset. —Abdi Latif Dahir, New York Times, 14 May 2024

The high temperatures built on an overall warming trend driven by greenhouse gas emissions and were further amplified by the onset of El Niño in the tropical Pacific. —Hayley Smith, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 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