Illustration of overhang
- 1 overhang 3
over·hang
ˈō-vər-ˌhaŋ 
ˌō-vər-ˈhaŋ
overhung
ˈō-vər-ˌhəŋ
ˌō-vər-ˈhəŋ
; overhanging
ˌō-vər-ˈhəŋ
; overhanging
: to project so as to be over something
over·hang
ˈō-vər-ˌhaŋ
plural overhangs
1
: something that overhangs
also
: the extent of the overhanging
2
: the part of the bow or stern of a ship that projects over the water above the waterline
3
: a projection of the roof or upper story of a building beyond the wall of the lower part
4
a
: an excess of something that is left over and not easily disposed of
inventory overhang
Housing prices will not stabilize until the massive overhang of foreclosed homes is reduced.—
Robert Borosage
Robert Borosage
b
: an excess amount of a commodity or security the selling of which often drives down the value of that kind of commodity or security
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Synonyms
Examples of overhang in a Sentence
Verb
A cliff overhangs the trail.
The patio was overhung by a canopy.
The path was overhung with willow trees.
Noun
The overhang of the roof cast a shadow on the ground.
a recess in the face of the cliff that is hidden by the thick vines dangling from the jagged overhang above
Recent Examples on the WebJeastman, oregonlive, 11 Sep. 2023
Bound by a long corridor, seven classrooms and a room reserved for the school nurse overhang the subway tracks.
—Dominique Soguel, The Christian Science Monitor, 26 Sep. 2023
Beloved by Kentuckians, this breathtaking area is known for its overhanging cliffs that draw rock climbers from around the world.
—Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 11 Sep. 2023
The first has a lot of clutter and repeated texture (trees and branches); the second has thin lines (poles with overhanging wires); and the last has large textureless surfaces indoors.
—IEEE Spectrum, 1 Oct. 2019
The most remarkable yaksha here is a magnificent, free-standing sculpture, his corpulent belly overhanging his knotted waist sash.
—Sebastian Smee, Washington Post, 14 Aug. 2023
Suddenly, the camera zooms in tight on the the sharp beak of a snapping turtle concealed beneath an overhanging rock.
—Travis Hall, Field & Stream, 12 July 2023
The affected section partially overhangs the lower deck at the bearing's location.
—Caleb Wiegandt, The Courier-Journal, 3 Aug. 2023
With its overhanging roofs, colored beams, and bas-reliefs, the Basco Landais–style residence marries the casual vibe of a vacation home (one with a pool, a pétanque court, and a private cinema) and the service of a top hotel.
—Sara Lieberman, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 July 2023
Daniel Golson, The Verge, 14 Nov. 2023
The overhang is now only 6.8% above normal and may be reduced further if analysts forecasts for another below-normal injection in this coming Thursday’s EIA storage data prove correct.
—WSJ, 18 Sep. 2023
In May, a 28-year-old University of Kansas student from Saudi Arabia drowned in Glacier National Park’s Avalanche Creek after falling from a rocky overhang, according to park officials.
—Ashley R. Williams, CNN, 3 Sep. 2023
However, the electric models have shorter front and rear overhangs and a longer wheelbase.
—Car and Driver, 25 July 2023
Line bottom and sides of pan with parchment paper, leaving a 2- to 3-inch overhang on 2 sides.
—Anna Theoktisto, Southern Living, 30 Oct. 2023
Line each of the 4 muffin wells with plastic wrap, pressing into bottom and sides of well and leaving a 2-inch overhang on all sides.
—Sabrina Weiss, Peoplemag, 28 Oct. 2023
Today’s overhang of excess commercial space was years in the making.
—John Rennie Short, Fortune, 25 Sep. 2023
Butter a 9-by-13-inch baking pan and line with parchment, leaving a 1-inch overhang on long sides.
—Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 10 Sep. 2023
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Verb
Trim tree limbs within 10 feet of chimneys or overhanging roofs.
—Jeastman, oregonlive, 11 Sep. 2023
Bound by a long corridor, seven classrooms and a room reserved for the school nurse overhang the subway tracks.
—Dominique Soguel, The Christian Science Monitor, 26 Sep. 2023
Beloved by Kentuckians, this breathtaking area is known for its overhanging cliffs that draw rock climbers from around the world.
—Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 11 Sep. 2023
The first has a lot of clutter and repeated texture (trees and branches); the second has thin lines (poles with overhanging wires); and the last has large textureless surfaces indoors.
—IEEE Spectrum, 1 Oct. 2019
The most remarkable yaksha here is a magnificent, free-standing sculpture, his corpulent belly overhanging his knotted waist sash.
—Sebastian Smee, Washington Post, 14 Aug. 2023
Suddenly, the camera zooms in tight on the the sharp beak of a snapping turtle concealed beneath an overhanging rock.
—Travis Hall, Field & Stream, 12 July 2023
The affected section partially overhangs the lower deck at the bearing's location.
—Caleb Wiegandt, The Courier-Journal, 3 Aug. 2023
With its overhanging roofs, colored beams, and bas-reliefs, the Basco Landais–style residence marries the casual vibe of a vacation home (one with a pool, a pétanque court, and a private cinema) and the service of a top hotel.
—Sara Lieberman, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 July 2023
Noun
The proportions are kind of funky, as the 4’s roofline really is unlike any other car on sale, but short overhangs, wide fenders, and crisp surfacing give the 4 a really nice stance.
—Daniel Golson, The Verge, 14 Nov. 2023
The overhang is now only 6.8% above normal and may be reduced further if analysts forecasts for another below-normal injection in this coming Thursday’s EIA storage data prove correct.
—WSJ, 18 Sep. 2023
In May, a 28-year-old University of Kansas student from Saudi Arabia drowned in Glacier National Park’s Avalanche Creek after falling from a rocky overhang, according to park officials.
—Ashley R. Williams, CNN, 3 Sep. 2023
However, the electric models have shorter front and rear overhangs and a longer wheelbase.
—Car and Driver, 25 July 2023
Line bottom and sides of pan with parchment paper, leaving a 2- to 3-inch overhang on 2 sides.
—Anna Theoktisto, Southern Living, 30 Oct. 2023
Line each of the 4 muffin wells with plastic wrap, pressing into bottom and sides of well and leaving a 2-inch overhang on all sides.
—Sabrina Weiss, Peoplemag, 28 Oct. 2023
Today’s overhang of excess commercial space was years in the making.
—John Rennie Short, Fortune, 25 Sep. 2023
Butter a 9-by-13-inch baking pan and line with parchment, leaving a 1-inch overhang on long sides.
—Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 10 Sep. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'overhang.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
Verb
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Noun
1853, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Time Traveler
The first known use of overhang was
before the 12th century
Dictionary Entries Near overhang
Cite this Entry
“Overhang.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overhang. Accessed 29 Nov. 2023.
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Kids Definition
overhang
1 of 2 verb
over·hang
ˈō-vər-ˌhaŋ
ˌō-vər-ˈhaŋ
overhung
-ˌhəŋ
-ˈhəŋ
; overhanging
1
: to stick out or hang over
2
overhang
2 of 2 noun
over·hang
ˈō-vər-haŋ
: a part that overhangs
the overhang of a roof
Medical Definition
overhang
noun
over·hang
ˈō-vər-ˌhaŋ
: a portion of a filling that extends beyond the normal contour of a tooth
More from Merriam-Webster on overhang
Nglish: Translation of overhang for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of overhang for Arabic Speakers
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