1
: coming or moving away from the shore toward the water
an offshore breeze
2
a
: situated off the shore but within waters under a country's control
offshore fisheries
b
: distant from the shore compare inshore
3
: situated or operating in a foreign country
offshore mutual funds
offshore banking
off·shore
ˈȯf-ˌshȯr 
: off the shore of
Synonyms
Examples of offshore in a Sentence
Adjective
We sailed to an offshore island.
He works on an offshore oil rig.
They opened an offshore bank account.
He traced the money to an offshore investment company.
Recent Examples on the Web
Jorge L. Ortiz, USA TODAY, 24 Dec. 2024
On Monday and Tuesday, surfers faced giant mountains of moving water at Mavericks, an iconic surf spot a half mile offshore in San Mateo County.
—Nollyanne Delacruz, The Mercury News, 24 Dec. 2024
Ars Technica, 24 Dec. 2024
Another potential route: recruiting offshore talent via temporary work visas.
—Andrew Schaap, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
Jeremy Beaman, Washington Examiner, 16 Jan. 2023
Bubbles emerge from a methane seep offshore Virginia.
—Jeffrey Marlow, Discover Magazine, 7 June 2016
See all Example Sentences for offshore 
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Adverb
The system is expected to quickly move offshore Tuesday.
—Jorge L. Ortiz, USA TODAY, 24 Dec. 2024
On Monday and Tuesday, surfers faced giant mountains of moving water at Mavericks, an iconic surf spot a half mile offshore in San Mateo County.
—Nollyanne Delacruz, The Mercury News, 24 Dec. 2024
Adjective
A lot happened, including Thompson panicking and going on the run in 2012, stashing some $4 million in offshore accounts.
—Ars Technica, 24 Dec. 2024
Another potential route: recruiting offshore talent via temporary work visas.
—Andrew Schaap, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024
Preposition
The Outer Continental Shelf offshore Maine is virgin water for wind.
—Jeremy Beaman, Washington Examiner, 16 Jan. 2023
Bubbles emerge from a methane seep offshore Virginia.
—Jeffrey Marlow, Discover Magazine, 7 June 2016
See all Example Sentences for offshore
Articles Related to offshore
Dictionary Entries Near offshore
Cite this Entry
“Offshore.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/offshore. Accessed 3 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
offshore
1 of 2 adverb
off·shore
ˈȯf-ˈshō(ə)r
-ˈshȯ(ə)r
: from the shore : at a distance from the shore
offshore
2 of 2 adjective
off·shore
ˈȯf-ˌshō(ə)r
-ˌshȯ(ə)r
1
: coming or moving away from the shore
an offshore breeze
2
: located off the shore
offshore islands
an offshore oil rig
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