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.

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onset British  

/ ˈɒnˌsɛt /

noun

1. an attack; assault

2. a start; beginning

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Etymology

Origin of onset

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

Compare meaning

How does onset compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• onset vs. outset

Example Sentences

Both will help delay the onset of a shortage.

From The Wall Street Journal

Of course, there was the pesky, abrupt onset of exhaustion, but that had come only after Gingersnipes had arrived.

From Literature

Jeffries' lawyers argue that he is suffering with dementia and late onset of Alzheimer's disease and is unfit to face trial alongside his partner and their alleged middleman in October.

From BBC

The Israeli stock market, which initially rallied at the onset on the country’s joint military campaign with the U.S. against Iran, is now trading at prewar levels.

From MarketWatch

Accelerating home prices and substantial growth have characterized the Montana housing market since the onset of the pandemic, says Hannah Jones, senior economic research analyst at Realtor.com.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• commencement
• dawning
• onslaught
• outbreak
• outset