The meaning of ONSET is attack, assault. How to use onset in a sentence.

(of an illness or medical condition) starting at the stated time or in the stated way: early-onset dementia sudden-onset hearing loss (Definition of onset from the Cambridge Advanced …

Onset definition: a beginning or start.. See examples of ONSET used in a sentence.

When something is at its onset, it's at the beginning, just getting started, and it's often something that's not so pleasant. The onset of hurricane season is probably not the best time to visit the …

Definition of onset noun in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

The onset of something is the beginning of it, used especially to refer to something unpleasant.

on•set (ˈɒnˌsɛt, ˈɔn-) n. 1. a beginning or start: the onset of winter. 2. an assault or attack: the onset of the enemy.

Oct 13, 2025 · onset (plural onsets) (medicine) The initial phase of a disease or condition, in which symptoms first become apparent. quotations the onset of schizophrenia

on•set (on′ set′, ôn′ -), n. a beginning or start: the onset of winter. an assault or attack: an onset of the enemy. Phonetics the segment of a syllable preceding the nucleus, as the gr in great. Cf. …

There are five meanings listed in OED's entry for the noun onset, one of which is labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.