overhead

1 of 3

adverb

over·​head ˌō-vər-ˈhed 

: above one's head : aloft

overhead

2 of 3

adjective

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

overhead

3 of 3

noun

over·​head ˈō-vər-ˌhed 

1

: business expenses (such as rent, insurance, or heating) not chargeable to a particular part of the work or product

2

: ceiling

especially : the ceiling of a ship's compartment

3

: a stroke in a racket game made above head height : smash

Synonyms

Adverb

• above
• aloft
• over

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

Adverb

The dining room, with expansive retractable windows, will then spill out onto a massive patio surrounded by lush perennials, romantic string lighting and large canopies overhead, resembling the popular piazzas found within the city’s storied walls. —Roger Sands, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024

Lie prone on the mat with your arms stretched overhead. —Leoni Jesner, Health, 4 Nov. 2024

Adjective

Taurus will rise in the eastern sky around sunset, and will be overhead from about midnight onwards, which is when viewing will be most ideal. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024

When power is overhead, a line is brought down to the Voltpost, again, without the need to dig a trench for an additional power line. —Ed Garsten, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024

Noun

Make changes that lower your overhead or make your space user-friendly. —Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 14 Nov. 2024

The resulting painting, inspired in part by Peter Paul Rubens’s portrait of King Philip, shows the King of Pop on horseback, in glinting gold armor, with cherubs fluttering overhead. —Rachel Corbett, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1682, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1907, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing overhead

• overhead projector

Kids 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