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
Synonyms of overhead
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
Steve Waters, Miami Herald, 14 Dec. 2025
The Geminid meteor shower will blaze across the night sky, resulting in hundreds of shooting stars dashing overhead.
—Hannah Poukish, Idaho Statesman, 13 Dec. 2025
David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 11 Dec. 2025
New Jersey Transit service into Midtown Manhattan was temporarily diverted to Hoboken due to overhead wire issues Wednesday morning.
—Renee Anderson, CBS News, 10 Dec. 2025
Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 10 Dec. 2025
Gm Likkie Shoulder Tote Bag Your new travel companion is about to be this shoulder tote bag, as its compact yet spacious size easily stores under your airplane seat or in the overhead while comfortably fitting all of your belongings.
—Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 9 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overhead
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Adverb
When the moon goes straight overhead, that’s a major period.
—Steve Waters, Miami Herald, 14 Dec. 2025
The Geminid meteor shower will blaze across the night sky, resulting in hundreds of shooting stars dashing overhead.
—Hannah Poukish, Idaho Statesman, 13 Dec. 2025
Adjective
Saturday, eastbound lanes of State Road 836 from Northwest 17th Avenue to Interstate 95 will close as workers pour concrete for an overhead bridge support structure, according to FDOT.
—David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 11 Dec. 2025
New Jersey Transit service into Midtown Manhattan was temporarily diverted to Hoboken due to overhead wire issues Wednesday morning.
—Renee Anderson, CBS News, 10 Dec. 2025
Noun
The industry – which was already grappling with declining freight volumes and rising overheads – is bracing for a significant drop in the supply of drivers because of the federal government’s enforcement actions, Bloomberg reported.
—Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 10 Dec. 2025
Gm Likkie Shoulder Tote Bag Your new travel companion is about to be this shoulder tote bag, as its compact yet spacious size easily stores under your airplane seat or in the overhead while comfortably fitting all of your belongings.
—Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 9 Dec. 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 16 Dec. 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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