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

Similar to a helicopter, the electric taxi concepts lift off vertically and don’t need a runway, creating a niche for expanding such air travel just a few thousand feet overhead in one of the world’s busiest air travel hubs. — Pat Maio, Daily News, 24 Aug. 2026

The scenery is so quintessential North Florida, with the giant oaks forming the canopy overhead that gives the trail its namesake and the rolling countryside is very evocative of the Deep South. — Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2026

Adjective

Combined with physical obstacles and overhead drone surveillance, these sensors could close gaps in existing coverage and make movement through the gray zones more difficult for Ukrainian forces. — Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026

The kitchen area also includes a cabinet and drawers, plus overhead cabinets that run the length of the module. — New Atlas, 20 Aug. 2026

Noun

Many chefs who come here are immigrants, refugees, or minority business owners taking on the industry's high overhead. — Joshua Cole, CBS News, 25 Aug. 2026

So, questions of network latency and the computational overhead needed for O-RAN V2X signaling remain as yet unresolved. — IEEE Spectrum, 20 Aug. 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