onshore

American  

[on-shawr, -shohr, awn-] / ˈɒnˈʃɔr, -ˈʃoʊr, ˈɔn- /

adverb

1. onto or in the direction of the shore from a body of water.

   a breeze blowing onshore.

2. in or on a body of water, close to or parallel with the shore.

   to sail a boat onshore.

3. on land, especially within the area adjoining a port; ashore.

   to land and shop onshore.

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adjective

1. moving or proceeding toward shore or onto land from a body of water.

   an onshore breeze.

2. located on or close to the shore.

   an onshore lighthouse; an onshore buoy.

3. done or taking place on land.

   onshore liberty for the crew.

verb (used with or without object)

1. reshore.

onshore British  

/ ˈɒnˈʃɔː /

adjective

1. towards the land

   an onshore gale

2. on land; not at sea

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Other Word Forms

• onshoring
  noun

Etymology

Origin of onshore

First recorded in 1500–75; on + shore ¹

Explanation

Use the adjective onshore to describe something that's headed toward the coast from the sea, or that's located on dry land. An onshore wind blows in from the ocean. An onshore breeze is wonderful on a hot summer day, especially if you can spend that day on the beach. If you're on a boat, a strong onshore wind is something to be concerned about, since it will tend to blow your boat toward the land. The oil industry uses onshore to distinguish between oil rigs and wells that are in the ocean and those that are on the land, or onshore.

Example Sentences

In response to our reporting, a spokeswoman for the Commodity Futures Trading Commission said prediction markets should be brought onshore, where they can be more effectively policed.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 22, 2026

In fact, empty onshore storage has fallen to 13.5 million barrels, meaning Iran has about a week of available capacity left at the country’s normal production rates, commodities-data provider Kpler said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 20, 2026

Temperatures are expected to be similar through the weekend due to consistent high pressure and onshore flower, according to the weather service.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 8, 2026

Vincent Holtam, who was then general manager for onshore assets for Shell's Nigerian subsidiary, replied to warn colleagues that doing so could "do more harm than good".

From BBC • Jun. 3, 2026

They had just begun construction on the house, but they had left a canoe onshore, and their sailboat at the dock.

From "Red Kayak" by Priscilla Cummings

Related Words

• ashore