over·head
ˈō-vər-ˌhed 
1
a
: operating, lying, or coming from above
b
: having the driving part above the part driven
valves operated by an overhead camshaft
2
: of or relating to overhead
overhead costs
over·head
ˈō-vər-ˌhed
Synonyms
Examples of overhead in a Sentence
Adverb
A chandelier hung directly overhead.
People were making noise in the balcony overhead.
Noun
Her company has very little overhead.
Recent Examples on the Web
Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2024
Both organizations seek to pool resources, lower overhead, and collaborate more closely on their mission of online anonymity.
—Dan Goodin, Ars Technica, 26 Sep. 2024
Nardine Saad, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2024
More than half of DTE’s overhead primary circuits are in back lots, while about 16% to 18% of Consumers’ customers are served via back lots.
—Arpan Lobo, Detroit Free Press, 24 Sep. 2024
Tony Bradley, Forbes, 10 Sep. 2024
Paramount can no longer justify carrying that much overhead for assets that are melting ice cubes – still profitable now, but shrinking rather than growing.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 9 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for overhead 
Adverb
The traffic freezes; so do the clouds drifting overhead; so, too, does Driver, keeping his foothold and tilting backward.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2024
Both organizations seek to pool resources, lower overhead, and collaborate more closely on their mission of online anonymity.
—Dan Goodin, Ars Technica, 26 Sep. 2024
Adjective
Advertisement The mostly overhead images featured Del Rey, 39, wearing a floor-length wedding gown and accompanied by her father, Robert Grant.
—Nardine Saad, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2024
More than half of DTE’s overhead primary circuits are in back lots, while about 16% to 18% of Consumers’ customers are served via back lots.
—Arpan Lobo, Detroit Free Press, 24 Sep. 2024
Noun
The result is a seamless workflow where developers can focus on innovation, knowing that their infrastructure will automatically adapt to new requirements without additional overhead.
—Tony Bradley, Forbes, 10 Sep. 2024
Paramount can no longer justify carrying that much overhead for assets that are melting ice cubes – still profitable now, but shrinking rather than growing.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 9 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for overhead
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'overhead.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near overhead
Cite this Entry
“Overhead.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overhead. Accessed 2 Oct. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
overhead
1 of 3 adverb
over·head
ˌō-vər-ˈhed
: above one's head : aloft
geese flying overhead
overhead
2 of 3 adjective
over·head
ˈō-vər-ˌhed
1
: operating or lying above
an overhead door
2
: of or relating to business expense
overhead
3 of 3 noun
over·head
ˈō-vər-ˌhed
1
: general business expenses (as rent, heat, or insurance)
2
: a stroke in a racket game made above head height : smash
Legal Definition
overhead
noun
over·head
ˈō-vər-ˌhed
: business expenses (as rent or insurance) not chargeable to a particular part of the work or product
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