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
Josh Jackson, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
As high atmospheric pressure builds overhead, skies will remain clear for the rest of the week, with daily temperature swings of more than 30 degrees from morning to afternoon.
—Newsroom Meteorologist, Austin American Statesman, 3 Feb. 2026
Dallas Morning News, 10 Feb. 2026
But factories had been built with steam engines in their basements, powering overhead shafts that ran the length of the buildings, with belts and pulleys carrying power to individual machines.
—Josh Tyrangiel, The Atlantic, 10 Feb. 2026
Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 11 Feb. 2026
By removing the need for workers to enter freezer aisles for routine inventory checks, Corvus Robotics says the system improves worker safety while lowering operational overhead.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overhead
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Adverb
Ravens circle overhead, croaking at my presence in defiance.
—Josh Jackson, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
As high atmospheric pressure builds overhead, skies will remain clear for the rest of the week, with daily temperature swings of more than 30 degrees from morning to afternoon.
—Newsroom Meteorologist, Austin American Statesman, 3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
Customers have taken to social media platforms for days to complain about things like lack of overhead bin space and not being allowed to switch seats, even when there are plenty open.
—Dallas Morning News, 10 Feb. 2026
But factories had been built with steam engines in their basements, powering overhead shafts that ran the length of the buildings, with belts and pulleys carrying power to individual machines.
—Josh Tyrangiel, The Atlantic, 10 Feb. 2026
Noun
The shift to low-overhead shows on digital platforms also raises concerns for Hollywood unions, which are entwined in the TV talk show system but largely do not have a presence on major podcast platforms.
—Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 11 Feb. 2026
By removing the need for workers to enter freezer aisles for routine inventory checks, Corvus Robotics says the system improves worker safety while lowering operational overhead.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overhead
Cite this Entry
“Overhead.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overhead. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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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