Illustration of overhang
- 1 overhang 3
over·hang
ˈō-vər-ˌhaŋ 
ˌō-vər-ˈhaŋ
overhung
ˈō-vər-ˌhəŋ
ˌō-vər-ˈhəŋ
; overhanging
ˌō-vər-ˈhəŋ
; overhanging
: to project so as to be over something
over·hang
ˈō-vər-ˌhaŋ
plural overhangs
1
: something that overhangs
also
: the extent of the overhanging
2
: the part of the bow or stern of a ship that projects over the water above the waterline
3
: a projection of the roof or upper story of a building beyond the wall of the lower part
4
a
: an excess of something that is left over and not easily disposed of
inventory overhang
Housing prices will not stabilize until the massive overhang of foreclosed homes is reduced.—
Robert Borosage
Robert Borosage
b
: an excess amount of a commodity or security the selling of which often drives down the value of that kind of commodity or security
share overhang
Examples of overhang in a Sentence
Verb
A cliff overhangs the trail.
The patio was overhung by a canopy.
The path was overhung with willow trees.
Noun
The overhang of the roof cast a shadow on the ground.
a recess in the face of the cliff that is hidden by the thick vines dangling from the jagged overhang above
Recent Examples on the Web
Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 22 May 2025
Ants are more likely to build hills in overgrown areas with tall grass and overhanging shrubs.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 May 2025
Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 11 May 2025
The fish was spotted out in the open as opposed to inside a cave or under an overhang, which have long been considered hiding spots for the species, researchers said.
—Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for overhang
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Verb
Gonzalez spots an overhanging tree with dozens of fish — Mayan cichlids, oscars, tilapia and peacock bass, hovering in the dark shade below it.
—Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 22 May 2025
Ants are more likely to build hills in overgrown areas with tall grass and overhanging shrubs.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 May 2025
Noun
Line bottom and sides of pan with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on all sides; set aside.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 11 May 2025
The fish was spotted out in the open as opposed to inside a cave or under an overhang, which have long been considered hiding spots for the species, researchers said.
—Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 7 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for overhang
Cite this Entry
“Overhang.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overhang. Accessed 8 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
overhang
1 of 2 verb
over·hang
ˈō-vər-ˌhaŋ
ˌō-vər-ˈhaŋ
overhung
-ˌhəŋ
-ˈhəŋ
; overhanging
1
: to stick out or hang over
2
overhang
2 of 2 noun
over·hang
ˈō-vər-haŋ
: a part that overhangs
the overhang of a roof
Medical Definition
overhang
noun
over·hang
ˈō-vər-ˌhaŋ
: a portion of a filling that extends beyond the normal contour of a tooth
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