onset

noun

UK /ˈɒn.set/

US /ˈɑːn.set/

The onset is the start of something.

The onset of winter brought cold winds and snow.

SYNONYMS

beginning start outset commencement

RELATED WORDS

attack arrival dawn origin

OTHER MEANINGS

2. A sudden attack of an illness or a strong feeling.

The doctor treated the onset of a fever quickly.

3. The part of a syllable that comes before the vowel.

In the word 'cat', the 'c' sound is the onset.

4. A beginning or first part of an action or event.

At the onset of the race, all the runners were nervous.