noun
onus
OH-nus/ˈəʊnəs/
A burden of responsibility or obligation.
The onus of carrying the heavy sack falls on him.
Etymology
Latin onus meant a physical load and also a figurative burden such as expense or trouble. A duty or responsibility is likewise something a person must carry, as in the legal “burden of proving.”
In context
the onus is on you as a driver please just act in a responsible Manner and um you know have hey regard for your safety
More examples
- This policy puts the onus on customers to report billing errors.
- She bears the onus of explaining why the project failed.
- The onus of proof rests with the person making the claim.
Forms
onus · onuses
Similar words
- responsibility
- Names a duty without necessarily suggesting difficulty or pressure.
- burden
- Emphasizes the weight or hardship of a responsibility.
- obligation
- Emphasizes a duty imposed by rules, promises, or circumstances.