overhead

adverb

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over·head | \ ˌō-vər-ˈhed

Definition of overhead

(Entry 1 of 3)

: above one's head : aloft

overhead

adjective

over·head | \ ˈō-vər-ˌhed

Definition of overhead (Entry 2 of 3)

1a : 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

noun

over·head | \ ˈō-vər-ˌhed

Definition of overhead (Entry 3 of 3)

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 & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about overhead

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Synonyms & Antonyms for overhead

Synonyms: Adverb

Antonyms: Adverb

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 That leaves tens of millions of dollars that went toward expenses like production costs, overhead — and exorbitant consulting fees collected by members of the group. — Steve Peoples, Anchorage Daily News, "How a leading anti-Trump group ignored a crisis in its ranks," 12 Feb. 2021 In particular, the model indicates that a levitating plate could mosey 50 miles overhead while carrying sensor-sized cargo. — Max G. Levy, Wired, "Researchers Levitated a Small Tray Using Nothing but Light," 12 Feb. 2021 That leaves tens of millions of dollars that went toward expenses like production costs, overhead — and exorbitant consulting fees collected by members of the group. — Steve Peoples And Brian Slodysko, Chron, "How a leading anti-Trump group ignored a crisis in its ranks," 11 Feb. 2021 Due to fears of possible Iranian retaliation for the sentence, the Belgian courtroom was heavily guarded on Thursday, with police helicopters flying overhead. — Zachary Halaschak, Washington Examiner, "Iranian diplomat convicted in plot to bomb Paris meeting of dissidents," 4 Feb. 2021 The footage shows Mejía, with a gun in his right hand, looking at the officers and a helicopter flying overhead. — Jacob Beltran, San Antonio Express-News, "Man killed by SAPD at South Park Mall after chase identified," 28 Jan. 2021 As the vessel's captain spoke to company security officials back in South Korea, armed Iranian troops stormed the tanker as an Iranian helicopter flew overhead, the official said. — Jon Gambrell, BostonGlobe.com, "South Korean tanker was boarded by armed Iran Guard forces," 5 Jan. 2021 People shout into megaphones, loud trucks drive down narrow streets, residents are called names or harassed, media helicopters and police planes fly overhead. — oregonlive, "Residents in Salem, Olympia and other capital cities hope inauguration will bring relief from tense protests," 20 Jan. 2021 High overhead, an open hole, or oculus, invited the sky in. — Gaia Squarci, Smithsonian Magazine, "The New, Nicer Nero," 18 Sep. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective As another officer came up from behind and activated his cruiser’s overhead lights, the boy backed into that cruiser, damaging its front end. — Thomas Jewell, cleveland, "Unlicensed juvenile driver avoids hitting one cruiser, then backs into another: Orange Police Blotter," 23 Jan. 2021 The driver refused to stop when the deputy turned on his overhead lights, according to the Sheriff's Office. — Michelle Hunter | Staff Writer, NOLA.com, "After car chase, driver booked with stealing packages at 16 Metairie homes," 15 Dec. 2020 Estrada also said rent and overhead costs took a toll on the business financially. — Cathy Kozlowicz, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "After Sussex's Uptown Art studio, gallery and bar closes, the owner will offer remote art experiences," 14 June 2020 What are the rules on business owners deducting overhead costs as business expenses? — Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, "What you need to know about the tax implications of government help," 24 Jan. 2021 What’s exciting for Barsotti is thinking about the potential for other pop-up businesses, and the opportunity that comes with not having to worry about the overhead costs of a full-service brick and mortar restaurant. — Alex Briseno, Dallas News, "Booze to-go for good? Texas has a shot at permanently allowing alcohol to-go," 15 Jan. 2021 One of his suppliers clips it from the edges of organic farms, an invasive salad-fixing high in nutrients from organic soil–and one with zero overhead costs. — Eve Conant, Travel, "One way to fight invasive species? Eat them.," 30 Dec. 2020 The four big theater chains – AMC, Regal, Cinemark and Marcus -- are suffering as well and their overhead costs are far greater. — Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, "COVID threatens 'the cultural water cooler' of small movie theaters. Will they survive a slow holiday season?," 25 Dec. 2020 Think of squats with an overhead press or lunges with a rotation and compare that to, say, triceps presses or biceps curls, which work muscles in isolation. — Amy Eisinger, M.a., SELF, "How to Do a Deadlift Correctly," 4 Jan. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun The sensors on an aircraft overhead showed a boat packed with people, about a dozen in all. — New York Times, "Risking Everything to Come to America on the Open Ocean," 28 Jan. 2021 Companies that don’t have a venue and therefore aren’t burdened by significant overhead may have an advantage in winning back reluctant theatergoers and in converting new ones. — Los Angeles Times, "My dream for theater: Toss the old business model in the dumpster fire of 2020," 21 Dec. 2020 With the pandemic, some of that overhead has gone up, Kennedy said. — Dallas News, "‘It’s a struggle’: How Dallas’ drag queens are making it work in the COVID-19 pandemic," 3 Jan. 2021 Examples of static stretches include pulling your heel to your butt and holding it there to stretch your quad, or bending and pulling your elbow overhead to stretch your tricep. — Jenny Mccoy, SELF, "11 Benefits of Stretching That Will Make Anyone Want to Move Their Body," 24 Dec. 2020 With lower overhead and time commitments, Ms. Moore says chances can be taken on original stories, riskier topics and ambitious concepts that would take significantly more resources to pull off on screen. — Chris Kornelis, WSJ, "From Demi Moore to Matthew McConaughey, Screen Stars Are Turning to Podcasts," 25 Dec. 2020 Business owners in the neighborhood don’t have the costly rents or high overhead that many do in more affluent areas. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Diary of a recovery: A City Heights neighborhood braces for a grim winter," 20 Dec. 2020 The patio at this lively Italian restaurant is packed with overhead and floor heaters. — Rick Nelson, Star Tribune, "Bundle up! These Twin Cities restaurant patios will be up and running this weekend," 18 Dec. 2020 Experts say that performers like Suran may be creating a new business model for the coronavirus age, in which low overhead and high volume can effectively counter the challenges of a shutdown. — Washington Post, "A performer was put out of work by shutdown. He responded by going on Zoom and reading people’s minds.," 15 Dec. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'overhead.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.