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

There will be ceremonial aspects that feel uniquely Spanish, Portuguese or Moroccan, but there need not be military aircrafts flying overhead or the host country’s anthem played before matches. — Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 21 July 2026

Apply this spray to vulnerable plants in the morning when the sun isn’t high overhead, and reapply it weekly and after heavy rainfall. — Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 July 2026

Adjective

Paul and Theory singled out Evans as Breakker opened up with an overhead suplex. — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026

Nikopol is increasingly being covered with overhead fishing nets that can trap FPV drones – a new Ukrainian reality in almost all frontline cities, from Kherson to Kramatorsk. — Daria Tarasova-Markina, CNN Money, 18 July 2026

Noun

There’s also the technical and organizational overhead of maintaining and supporting old versions and their associated keys indefinitely. — Scharon Harding, ArsTechnica, 21 July 2026

Hamid dove on the ground after hearing a drone whiz by overhead. — Mat Nashed, Christian Science Monitor, 21 July 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