overhead

1 of 3

adverb

over·​head ˌō-vər-ˈhed 

: above one's head : aloft

overhead

2 of 3

adjective

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

overhead

3 of 3

noun

over·​head ˈō-vər-ˌhed 

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 of overhead

Adverb

• upward
• above
• over

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

The likelihood of lightning increases as a thunderstorm gets closer and reaches its highest point when the storm is directly overhead. —Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 15 Nov. 2025

About 10 days since the last West Coast launch, Arizona residents have another chance to see a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket soaring overhead. —Eric Lagatta, AZCentral.com, 14 Nov. 2025

Adjective

Both on sale for less than $30, the Zomfelt and Taygeer travel backpacks combine style with large capacity, while the Osprey Farview Travel Backpack is comfortable to wear, can fit in the overhead compartment, and is on sale for less than $150 right now. —Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 15 Nov. 2025

Chance of lightning increases as a thunderstorm approaches and peaks when the storm is overhead. —Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 13 Nov. 2025

Noun

Meanwhile, North Carolina’s steady rollout of prepaid options shows how regional insurers can compete with national brands using lower overhead and online tools. —Maria Williams, USA Today, 13 Nov. 2025

Quorum needs to pay for software subscriptions and licenses on top of the overhead required to operate a nearly one-million dollar Hewlett-Packard 3D printer. —IEEE Spectrum, 11 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1682, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1907, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing overhead

• overhead projector

Rhymes for overhead

• abovesaid
• aforesaid
• arrowhead
• casinghead
• copperhead
• figurehead
• fountainhead
• gingerbread
• hammerhead
• infrared
• leatherhead
• letterhead

Kids 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