overhang

1 of 2

verb

over·​hang ˈō-vər-ˌhaŋ 

ˌō-vər-ˈhaŋ

overhung ˈō-vər-ˌhəŋ  ˌō-vər-ˈhəŋ  ; overhanging

transitive verb

1

: to project over

2

: to impend over : threaten

intransitive verb

: to project so as to be over something

overhang

2 of 2

noun

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

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

Illustration of overhang

• 1 overhang 3

Synonyms

Verb

• bag
• balloon
• beetle
• belly
• billow
• bulge
• bunch
• jut
• poke
• pooch [chiefly dialect]
• pouch
• pout
• project
• protrude
• stand out
• start
• stick out
• swell

Noun

• bulge
• bunch
• convexity
• jut
• projection
• protrusion
• protuberance
• swell

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

Verb

This area is not wooded except for a brief segment that passes beneath an overhanging arch of branches and crosses a bridge over a stream. —Daniel Bromfield, The Mercury News, 13 Jan. 2025

Once the sash is closed, the overhanging rubber material compresses against the window frame to prevent airflow. —Kamron Sanders, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Jan. 2025

Noun

The legal battle was a significant overhang on the stock a big chunk of last year. —CNBC, 22 Jan. 2025

Demographic changes are also an overhang, with people having fewer children, especially in wealthier countries. —Brett Owens, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

1853, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids 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

: threaten sense 3

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