2
: beginning, commencement
the onset of winter
the onset of age-related diseases
Examples of onset in a Sentence
the walls withstood the onset of the first battalion
the claim that if you take enough vitamin C at the onset of a cold, you'll often recover faster
Recent Examples on the Web
Late Tuesday, the Vatican said a chest CT scan showed the onset of bilateral pneumonia on top of asthmatic bronchitis, which is being treated with cortisone and antibiotics.
—
Nicole Winfield, arkansasonline.com, 20 Feb. 2025
For example, during the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, the online advertising industry faced significant uncertainty.
—Sasha Vyash, Forbes, 18 Feb. 2025
The sudden onset of cold will coincide with yet another disruptive winter storm.
—Amanda Musa, CNN, 17 Feb. 2025
Sometimes, the onset is linked to a stressful or anxious period.
—Allison Aubrey, NPR, 17 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for onset
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Nicole Winfield, arkansasonline.com, 20 Feb. 2025
For example, during the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, the online advertising industry faced significant uncertainty.
—Sasha Vyash, Forbes, 18 Feb. 2025
The sudden onset of cold will coincide with yet another disruptive winter storm.
—Amanda Musa, CNN, 17 Feb. 2025
Sometimes, the onset is linked to a stressful or anxious period.
—Allison Aubrey, NPR, 17 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for onset
Cite this Entry
“Onset.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/onset. Accessed 27 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
onset
noun
on·set
ˈȯn-ˌset 
ˈän-
Medical Definition
onset
noun
on·set
ˈȯn-ˌset, ˈän-
: the initial existence or symptoms of a disease
the onset of scarlet fever
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