onshore

adjective

on·​shore ˈȯn-ˌshȯr 

ˈän-

1

: coming or moving from the water toward or onto the shore

an onshore wind

2

a

: situated on or near the shore as distinguished from being in deep or open water

b

: situated on land

3

: domestic sense 2

onshore markets

onshore

ˈȯn-ˈshȯr 

ˈän-ˈshȯr

adverb

Examples of onshore in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Some developers are now exploring the ocean as a new location for AI infrastructure in the hopes that underwater data centers could improve energy use and cooling efficiency while using less fresh water and land area than onshore buildings. — Nir Kshetri, The Conversation, 17 Aug. 2026

But geopolitical pressure is forcing onshore production decisions at speed, and defense programs are accelerating faster than traditional procurement can respond. — Rich Garrity, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026

Africa’s largest oil and gas producer is pushing to revive hydrocarbon exploration in deepwater reserves at a time when global oil companies have retreated from their onshore Nigerian assets due to pipeline vandalism. — Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 12 Aug. 2026

The onshore breeze will steer storms to the west later on Tuesday. — Lissette Gonzalez, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1860, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for onshore

• abhor
• abor
• adore
• afore
• ardour
• ashore
• backdoor
• before
• bookstore
• candour
• centaur
• claymore

Kids Definition

onshore

adjective

on·​shore ˈȯn-ˌshō(ə)r 

ˈän-, 

-ˌshȯ(ə)r

1

: moving toward the shore

onshore winds

2

: situated on land

onshore oil refinery

onshore

ˈȯn-ˈshō(ə)r 

ˈän-, 

-ˈshȯ(ə)r

adverb