offing

The part of the sea visible from shore that is very distant or beyond anchoring ground.

(in the offing) In the near or immediate future; soon to come.

(in the offing) Nearby; at hand.

That part of the open visible sea that is remote from the shore, beyond the anchoring-ground, or beyond the mid-line between the shore and the horizon.

That part of the sea at a good distance from the shore, or where there is deep water and no need of a pilot; also, distance from the shore

visible but not nearby.

The area of the sea in which a ship can be seen in the distance from land, excluding the parts nearest the shore, and beyond the anchoring ground.

The distance that a ship at sea keeps away from land, often because of navigational dangers, fog and other hazards; a position at a distance from shore.

The foreseeable future. Chiefly in the phrase in the offing.

Present participle of off.