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

Winds will pose a fire risk, especially Saturday In the upper atmosphere, a trough of lower pressure will settle across the Pacific coast Friday and Saturday, quickly ushering in strong onshore winds and cooler temperatures. — Sean MacAday, Sacbee.com, 11 Sep. 2026

Because Rhode Island is small and densely populated, there are no real opportunities for very big onshore renewable energy projects in the state. — Alex Kuffner, The Providence Journal, 9 Sep. 2026

On Thursday there will be some onshore trends which will serve to cool the coastal communities some but the interior will continue to sizzle. — Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026

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

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