onus OH-nuhs noun WS #29

something that is one's duty or responsibility; a burden or obligation; the responsibility for proving something, especially in legal contexts

1. The onus is on the prosecution to prove the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
2. As team leader, the onus for the project's success rested squarely on her shoulders.
3. The onus of proof in civil cases is typically lower than in criminal proceedings.
4. The company placed the onus on employees to report any safety violations they observed.
5. The onus of caring for elderly parents often falls on the youngest child in the family.