nounπShareAn attack; an assault especially of an army."The enemy's sudden onset of the attack caught the city guard completely off guard. "militarywaractionChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareThe initial phase of a disease or condition, in which symptoms first become apparent."the onset of schizophrenia"medicinediseaseconditionChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareThe initial portion of a syllable, preceding the syllable nucleus."The onset of the word "banana" is the "ba" sound. "phoneticslanguagelinguisticsChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShare(acoustics) The beginning of a musical note or other sound, in which the amplitude rises from zero to an initial peak."The onset of the piano chord was clear and sharp. "musicsoundphysicstechnicalChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareA setting about; a beginning."the onset of puberty"timeactionChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
nounπShareAnything added, such as an ornament or as a useful appendage."The onset of a new, colorful handle made the old toolbox more appealing. "partitemChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShareTo assault; to set upon."The bully would often wait after school to onset smaller children. "actionmilitarywarChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading
verbπShareTo set about; to begin."The children will onset their homework after dinner. "timeactionprocessChat with AIVocabulary GamePractice Reading