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

On Wednesday, University of Miami researchers decided to move some of their most important old-stock Elkhorn corals from their three nurseries offshore of Virginia Key and bring them to the safety of their onshore aquariums. — Alex Harris july 23, Miami Herald, 23 July 2026

The high tariffs are an effort to have more onshore production of generic drugs. — Sean Conlon,chloe Taylor,lee Ying Shan,yun Li, CNBC, 21 July 2026

The Weather Service said the heat shouldn't last long; strong onshore winds will arrive Tuesday afternoon and help cool the coast quickly. — Kassia Bonesteel, CBS News, 13 July 2026

The spill, the nation’s largest onshore crude pipeline accident in nine years, blanketed a rural creek, harmed or killed more than 2,700 animals and triggered new restoration projects in the state. — John Hanna, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 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