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

That gives onshore winds days to push water toward the shore. — Rebekah Riess, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2026

Thursday stays cool and mostly cloudy as strong high pressure to our north maintains an onshore flow. — Bill Kelly, CBS News, 22 Sep. 2026

All onshore experiences are locally guided, offered in small groups, and scaled to different activity levels. — Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Sep. 2026

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

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