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

The likelihood of lightning increases as a thunderstorm gets closer and reaches its highest point when the storm is directly overhead. —Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 11 May 2026

Law enforcement cleared a path for the machine operators to drive from the refinery to the freeway overhead. —Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 9 May 2026

Adjective

Strategic Takeaways Cultivating more biomass traditionally means processing at higher volumes, increased SKU complexity, additional labor, higher overhead costs and the waste of natural resources and utilities at every step of the chain. —Thomas Andersen, Rolling Stone, 14 May 2026

Too much federal spending today supports administrative overhead, ideological programs, and foreign commitments that do little to benefit American taxpayers. —Rachel Royster may 14, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 May 2026

Noun

Avoid watering your plant from overhead to keep the disease at bay. —Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 14 May 2026

In most cases, a dealer will buy gold back for less than the current spot price, which helps cover overhead and market risk. —Roxanne Downer, USA Today, 14 May 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