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

The researchers believe the seals are not simply resting onshore.

From Science Daily • May 9, 2026

Enormous amounts of onshore wind and solar power had been deployed during the previous five years.

From Salon • May 9, 2026

"We've been acting to shield Australians from global energy shocks by investing in reliable, sovereign renewables and keeping more of the gas we need onshore," Bowen told reporters.

From Barron's • May 7, 2026

A few days before the war began, Chevron said it was entering exclusive talks with Iraq’s Basra Oil for a stake in one of the world’s largest onshore oil fields, West Qurna 2.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 20, 2026

He wondered how long he could ride the wave of that feeling before it crashed again onshore.

From "The Serpent King" by Jeff Zentner

Related Words

• ashore