The term "onset" refers to what part of a syllable?

The term "onset" specifically refers to the initial consonant sound or sounds that begin a syllable. In linguistics, a syllable can typically be broken down into three parts: the onset, the nucleus, and the coda. The onset is the part that comes before the vowel sound, which is known as the nucleus. The correct choice accurately captures this definition, highlighting that the onset is involved in initiating the sound of a syllable rather than its core vowel or any ending sounds. Understanding this concept is especially important for phonological analysis and teaching reading skills, particularly for English language learners who may be deciphering syllable structures.