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

Bonta also argues that the change in oversight directly contradicts a consent decree reached after the 2015 oil spill, which determined the state fire marshal would review and approve any possible restart of the onshore pipelines. —Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2026

Authorities have moved to rein in leverage after onshore market turnover hit record levels, driven in part by a rise in margin trading balances to an all-time high. —Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 19 Jan. 2026

The firm also launched the first onshore wave energy pilot in the US. —Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 19 Jan. 2026

All but seven of of the massive turbines have been mounted on top of pilings driven into the sea floor, and transmission cables have been laid to connect the project to onshore substations, according to court filings. —John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 13 Jan. 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