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. — Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 14 July 2026

Like a gay Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade balloon, the stereo betwixt her thighs welcomed us into a foliage- and fog-filled venue with green lasers beaming overhead (à la the ones shooting out of vaginas in the Confessions II short film). — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 14 July 2026

Adjective

But Norway were angered by England’s first goal which came after a goal kick appeared to hit an overhead sky camera wire before dropping to Elliot Anderson in the build-up. — The Athletic Soccer Experts, New York Times, 14 July 2026

Pilots are launching into a bottleneck already packed with ferries, commercial vessels, and tour boats, while sharing tight overhead airspace with NYPD, news, and helicopters, often with limited visibility. — Janet Handal, New York Daily News, 13 July 2026

Noun

Four-year-old Juni Wahab was entranced by the sight of the swallows and cormorants swooping low overhead and the rushing twists of water. — Jireh Deng, Los Angeles Times, 13 July 2026

Replays in slow motion show the action from different angles, including from overhead or (an unhappy recent innovation) the referee’s body camera. — Sebastian Smee, The Atlantic, 11 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