backshore

[bak-shawr, -shohr]

noun Geology.

the zone of the shore or beach above the high-water line, acted upon only by severe storms or exceptionally high tides.
the area immediately adjacent to a sea cliff.
berm(def 3).

Origin of backshore

First recorded in 1915–20; back¹ + shore¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

backshore in Science

[băk′shôr′]

The area of a shore that lies between the average high tide mark and the vegetation. The backshore is affected by waves only during severe storms. Compare foreshore.