onus

[oh-nuhs]

noun

plural

onuses 

1. a difficult or disagreeable obligation, task, burden, etc.

   Synonyms: load, duty, weight, responsibility

2. burden of proof.

3. blame or responsibility.

onus

/ ˈəʊnəs /

noun

1. a responsibility, task, or burden

Word History and Origins

Origin of onus¹

1630–40; < Latin: load, burden

Word History and Origins

Origin of onus¹

C17: from Latin: burden

Example Sentences

The central bank’s balancing act shifts the onus on refueling growth to Mark Carney, the prime minister and previously Macklem’s boss at the Bank of Canada.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Some say the onus is also on executives to help make meetings more valuable.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But some warn that this all could end up putting the onus on landlords rather than tackling the root causes with the nation's housing stock.

Read more on BBC

And though he and his crew took time off from the onus of Mayan Warrior, it wasn’t long before designs were drafted and a new version was underway.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The onus is now on him to make sure it remains that way.

Read more on BBC