1.NounThe 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.
"to see (a ship) in the offing"
2.NounThe 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.
3.NounThe foreseeable future. Chiefly in the phrase in the offing.