1
: coming or moving away from the shore toward the water
an offshore breeze
2
a
: situated off the shore but within waters under a country's control
offshore fisheries
b
: distant from the shore compare inshore
3
: situated or operating in a foreign country
offshore mutual funds
offshore banking
off·shore
ˈȯf-ˌshȯr 
: off the shore of
Examples of offshore in a Sentence
Adjective
We sailed to an offshore island.
He works on an offshore oil rig.
They opened an offshore bank account.
He traced the money to an offshore investment company.
Recent Examples on the Web
Will McGough, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
The South Pars field, offshore in Iran's southern Bushehr province, is the source of most of the gas produced in Iran.
—Alexander Cornwell, USA Today, 15 June 2025
Richard Fowler, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
In separate letters to each company on Tuesday, the lawmakers allege that the pharmaceutical companies all avoided paying U.S. tax bills by shifting their profits to offshore subsidiaries in jurisdictions with much lower tax rates, such as Ireland and Bermuda.
—Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 17 June 2025
Jeremy Beaman, Washington Examiner, 16 Jan. 2023
Bubbles emerge from a methane seep offshore Virginia.
—Jeffrey Marlow, Discover Magazine, 7 June 2016
See All Example Sentences for offshore
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Adverb
The Manitou Islands, located not far offshore, provide a unique opportunity for hiking and camping.
—Will McGough, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
The South Pars field, offshore in Iran's southern Bushehr province, is the source of most of the gas produced in Iran.
—Alexander Cornwell, USA Today, 15 June 2025
Adjective
In early 2025, offshore oil potential was identified in the Walton-Morant Basin, located south of the island.
—Richard Fowler, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
In separate letters to each company on Tuesday, the lawmakers allege that the pharmaceutical companies all avoided paying U.S. tax bills by shifting their profits to offshore subsidiaries in jurisdictions with much lower tax rates, such as Ireland and Bermuda.
—Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 17 June 2025
Preposition
The Outer Continental Shelf offshore Maine is virgin water for wind.
—Jeremy Beaman, Washington Examiner, 16 Jan. 2023
Bubbles emerge from a methane seep offshore Virginia.
—Jeffrey Marlow, Discover Magazine, 7 June 2016
See All Example Sentences for offshore
Cite this Entry
“Offshore.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/offshore. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
offshore
1 of 2 adverb
off·shore
ˈȯf-ˈshō(ə)r
-ˈshȯ(ə)r
: from the shore : at a distance from the shore
offshore
2 of 2 adjective
off·shore
ˈȯf-ˌshō(ə)r
-ˌshȯ(ə)r
1
: coming or moving away from the shore
an offshore breeze
2
: located off the shore
offshore islands
an offshore oil rig
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