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
share overhang
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 Web
Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2025
Overgrown weeds, overhanging branches, litter, loud noises — all of these annoyances might come from your Milwaukee neighbor, but not every complaint should go to the same place.
—Quinn Clark, jsonline.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 8 Sep. 2025
An overhang on the stock Buffett, who’s typically a passive investor, let it be known that his successor Greg Abel had expressed concerns about the breakup deal to Kraft Heinz a week ago, which didn’t make a difference even coming from its largest shareholder.
—Yun Li, CNBC, 7 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overhang
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Verb
When a trompo taco is ordered, a cook brandishes a knife of ferocious sharpness, shaving a thin, broad piece large enough to overhang the corn tortilla it’s laid upon.
—Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2025
Overgrown weeds, overhanging branches, litter, loud noises — all of these annoyances might come from your Milwaukee neighbor, but not every complaint should go to the same place.
—Quinn Clark, jsonline.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Noun
Lightly coat a 9-inch square baking pan with cooking spray; line with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on all sides.
—Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 8 Sep. 2025
An overhang on the stock Buffett, who’s typically a passive investor, let it be known that his successor Greg Abel had expressed concerns about the breakup deal to Kraft Heinz a week ago, which didn’t make a difference even coming from its largest shareholder.
—Yun Li, CNBC, 7 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overhang
Cite this Entry
“Overhang.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overhang. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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