onshore

adjective

on·​shore ˈȯn-ˌshȯr How to pronounce onshore (audio)
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 How to pronounce onshore (audio)
ˈän-ˈshȯr
adverb

Examples of onshore in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The rest was onshore coalbed methane, or coal seam gas, and those resources aren’t in growth mode either. — Jordan Blum, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2026 Gicon’s turbine stands about 25 m (82 ft) taller than Dongfang Electric’s 26-MW prototype in China, a machine designed for offshore use but installed at an onshore testing site. — New Atlas, 9 Oct. 2026 That gives onshore winds days to push water toward the shore. — Rebekah Riess, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2026 Thursday stays cool and mostly cloudy as strong high pressure to our north maintains an onshore flow. — Bill Kelly, CBS News, 22 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for onshore

Word History

First Known Use

1860, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of onshore was in 1860

Rhymes for onshore

See All Rhymes for onshore

Browse Nearby Words

on shipboard
onshore
on short notice
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Onshore.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/onshore. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

onshore

adjective
on·​shore ˈȯn-ˌshō(ə)r How to pronounce onshore (audio)
ˈän-, 
-ˌshȯ(ə)r
1
: moving toward the shore
onshore winds
2
: situated on land
onshore oil refinery
onshore
ˈȯn-ˈshō(ə)r How to pronounce onshore (audio)
ˈän-, 
-ˈshȯ(ə)r
adverb
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of deportment

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Why do we call it a 'flea market'?
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All