Onshore means located on land or moving toward land from the water. When meteorologists track a hurricane moving onshore, they mean it's coming from the ocean onto the mainland. An onshore wind blows from the sea toward the beach, bringing cooler air and the smell of salt water inland.

The word often contrasts with offshore, which means out at sea or away from land. Oil companies drill for petroleum in offshore rigs far out in the ocean, but they also drill onshore in places like Texas. When businesses talk about onshore manufacturing, they mean making products in their home country rather than overseas.

Sailors and fishers pay close attention to whether winds blow onshore or offshore. Onshore breezes can push a sailboat toward land, which is helpful when returning to harbor but dangerous near rocky coastlines. Beach towns feel the effects of onshore winds bringing moisture and cooler temperatures from the ocean, especially on hot summer days.