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 photo was instantly legendary: former President Trump with his fist in the air, blood seeping from his right ear and an American flag flying overhead. —Jennifer Jacobs, CBS News, 25 Feb. 2025

Most of the development would be on fields of thistles near several lakes where red kites fly overhead. —Eshe Nelson, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2025

Adjective

However, midway through her speech, an overhead announcement unexpectedly cut in. —Matt Robison, Newsweek, 24 Feb. 2025

The probe found that sparks from an overhead power line ignited the vegetation below. —Tony Saavedra, Orange County Register, 24 Feb. 2025

Noun

Asked about the rapes of two young nieces in the 1980s, Lhermitte denied knowing about them and declined to look at photos displayed overhead of a niece’s genitalia that the judge said her former husband took in the 1980s. —Linda Hervieux, NBC News, 26 Feb. 2025

More often than not, gold at brick and mortar stores will have higher prices than online stores, as the overhead of running a physical store comes into play. —Victor Rosario, Sacramento Bee, 26 Feb. 2025

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

Rhymes for overhead

• abovesaid
• aforesaid
• arrowhead
• casinghead
• copperhead
• figurehead
• fountainhead
• gingerbread
• hammerhead
• infrared
• leatherhead
• letterhead

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