2
: beginning, commencement
the onset of winter
the onset of age-related diseases
Synonyms
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
The use of vitamin C after the onset of the common cold for treatment is unclear.
—
Trang Tran, Pharmd, Verywell Health, 21 Nov. 2024
The committee recommended only a 3-day work restriction from the onset of symptoms, even if the HCW is still symptomatic, if they are improved and afebrile—this, despite abundant data that many people shed SARS-CoV2 virus for ten days or more.
—Judy Stone, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
In recent years, independent journalists, activists, critics and opposition figures in Russia have faced mounting government pressure, a trend that has escalated sharply since the onset of the Ukraine conflict.
—Matt Robison, Newsweek, 20 Nov. 2024
Officials confirmed that any eggs produced after the onset of illness have not entered the food supply.
—Angelica Stabile, Fox News, 19 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for onset 
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Trang Tran, Pharmd, Verywell Health, 21 Nov. 2024
The committee recommended only a 3-day work restriction from the onset of symptoms, even if the HCW is still symptomatic, if they are improved and afebrile—this, despite abundant data that many people shed SARS-CoV2 virus for ten days or more.
—Judy Stone, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
In recent years, independent journalists, activists, critics and opposition figures in Russia have faced mounting government pressure, a trend that has escalated sharply since the onset of the Ukraine conflict.
—Matt Robison, Newsweek, 20 Nov. 2024
Officials confirmed that any eggs produced after the onset of illness have not entered the food supply.
—Angelica Stabile, Fox News, 19 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for onset
Dictionary Entries Near onset
Cite this Entry
“Onset.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/onset. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
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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