onshore

[on-shawr, -shohr, awn-]

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.

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

/ ˈɒnˈʃɔː /

adjective

1. towards the land

   an onshore gale

2. on land; not at sea

Other Word Forms

• onshoring noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of onshore¹

First recorded in 1500–75; on + shore ¹

Example Sentences

Harbour Energy had previously considered only U.S. offshore assets, but could now make a move for onshore assets, Cook said.

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Earlier in 2025, before the tariffs landed, importers anticipated that trade barriers were on the way and raced to onshore needed goods, sending the deficit soaring.

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What the family may have experienced is a “sneaker wave,” where a successive wave rushes further onshore than the majority of the waves that have been breaking.

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But in both the U.S. and Europe, analysts and investors say onshore wind, solar and batteries are able to compete with fewer subsidies thanks to the sharp decline in their costs.

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The company narrowed its full-year guidance to reflect the strength of its onshore unit but also lower earnings before interest and tax in its service division.

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Related Words

• ashore