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Synonyms

onset

American  
[on-set, awn-] / ˈɒnˌsɛt, ˈɔn- /

noun

  1. a beginning or start.

    the onset of winter.

  2. an assault or attack.

    an onset of the enemy.

  3. Phonetics. the segment of a syllable preceding the nucleus, as the gr in great.


onset British  
/ ˈɒnˌsɛt /

noun

  1. an attack; assault

  2. a start; beginning

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of onset

1525–35; on + set, after the verb phrase set on

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It’s unclear whether an increasing number of people are experiencing hair loss, although some researchers say lifestyle and dietary habits can bring on early onset androgenetic alopecia.

From MarketWatch

Before the onset of YouTube, U.S. parents had very limited options when it came to video programs that helped teach their children Spanish.

From Los Angeles Times

Those exposed to sugar rationing before birth and in early childhood experienced delays in the onset of cardiovascular conditions of up to two and a half years compared with those who were not exposed.

From Science Daily

"With further refinement, these methodologies have the potential to predict symptom onset accurately enough that we could use it in individual clinical care."

From Science Daily

To draw a parallel, consider how the onset of spot bitcoin ETFs coincided with institutional participation in the cryptocurrency market.

From MarketWatch