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 of overhead

Adverb

• upward
• above
• 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

On the title track, galloping rhythms and lingering lap steel notes conjure the image of a condor soaring overhead. — Cata Balzano, Billboard, 25 Sep. 2026

High-performing nonprofits don’t view investments in people, technology or fundraising as overhead. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026

Adjective

Delays are frustrating but necessary Because lightning can happen before or after a thunderstorm is overhead, rain is a poor indicator of lightning danger. — Chris Vagasky, The Conversation, 22 Sep. 2026

The living room flows into the kitchen and dining room, separated by floating walls that give the beams overhead room to breathe. — Alex Beggs, Architectural Digest, 21 Sep. 2026

Noun

However, multiple lab-wide reorganizations after NASA yanked its flagship Mars project increased the overhead for other projects like GRACE-Continuity. — Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026

For instance, a forward or reverse lunge with an overhead reach combines a squat and push movement in the forward-and-backward plane of motion. — Dana Santas, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

14th 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