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
over·head
ˈō-vər-ˌhed
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
Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 13 Sep. 2025
CrowdStrike says the integration can deliver up to 70% faster incident response and up to 40% less ingestion overhead, with meaningful storage savings as well.
—Tony Bradley, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 13 Sep. 2025
The scope of Huntrix’s fictional audience is emphasized through overhead shots of massive arena concerts, and made more personal by close-ups of the eclectic men, women, and children united through their commitment.
—Yvonne Kim, The Atlantic, 12 Sep. 2025
Clio Chang, Curbed, 11 Sep. 2025
Instead, it was built to provide real solutions to companies that need expertise without the burden of long-term contracts or massive overhead.
—Matt Emma, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overhead
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Adverb
In the movie Kilgore is at the center of a fiery, chaotic battle with helicopters flying overhead.
—Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 13 Sep. 2025
CrowdStrike says the integration can deliver up to 70% faster incident response and up to 40% less ingestion overhead, with meaningful storage savings as well.
—Tony Bradley, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Some examples include the overhead press, shoulder press and push press.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 13 Sep. 2025
The scope of Huntrix’s fictional audience is emphasized through overhead shots of massive arena concerts, and made more personal by close-ups of the eclectic men, women, and children united through their commitment.
—Yvonne Kim, The Atlantic, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
There are old-fashioned Edisons and the tubular bulbs for hospital cafeterias and other places with unpleasant overheads.
—Clio Chang, Curbed, 11 Sep. 2025
Instead, it was built to provide real solutions to companies that need expertise without the burden of long-term contracts or massive overhead.
—Matt Emma, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overhead
Cite this Entry
“Overhead.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overhead. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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