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
Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025
With good posture, extend both arms overhead while holding the medicine ball.
—Matt Parrott, Arkansas Online, 18 May 2025
Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 21 May 2025
Once the overhead bins are full, gate agents start checking all remaining bags—and if your pillowcase raises any red flags, it could be taken and checked to your final destination.
—Alesandra Dubin, Southern Living, 20 May 2025
Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
With deputies as their protection, firefighters moved into the area to battle the flames while a helicopter dropped water on it from overhead, authorities said.
—Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for overhead
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Adverb
Lasers and fountains danced in the background in time to the music as Yas Island’s biggest-ever fireworks display erupted overhead alongside drones.
—Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025
With good posture, extend both arms overhead while holding the medicine ball.
—Matt Parrott, Arkansas Online, 18 May 2025
Adjective
The likelihood of lightning increases as a thunderstorm gets closer and reaches its highest point when the storm is directly overhead.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 21 May 2025
Once the overhead bins are full, gate agents start checking all remaining bags—and if your pillowcase raises any red flags, it could be taken and checked to your final destination.
—Alesandra Dubin, Southern Living, 20 May 2025
Noun
Sponsor Interim Leaders Healthcare companies can better manage rising costs by investing in interim leadership to drive efficiency and innovation without long-term overhead.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
With deputies as their protection, firefighters moved into the area to battle the flames while a helicopter dropped water on it from overhead, authorities said.
—Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 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 28 May. 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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