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
Courtney Mikulski, CBS News, 5 Dec. 2025
The most dramatic change is the absence of overhead bins—and the inevitable game of luggage Tetris that comes with them.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 4 Dec. 2025
Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 5 Dec. 2025
The squat engages your quads, glutes, hamstrings, and core; the overhead reach activates your arms and shoulders; and the calf raise targets the calves.
—Jenny McCoy, Outside, 21 Nov. 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
Online banks, thanks to lower overhead maintenance costs that banks with physical branches have, are often able to pass on those savings to account holders in the form of higher interest rates.
—Courtney Mikulski, CBS News, 5 Dec. 2025
The most dramatic change is the absence of overhead bins—and the inevitable game of luggage Tetris that comes with them.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 4 Dec. 2025
Noun
Tiafoe remained undefeated at the Charlotte Invitational, winning the match when Fritz missed a difficult overhead, 4-6, 6-4, 1-0 (10-8).
—Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 5 Dec. 2025
The squat engages your quads, glutes, hamstrings, and core; the overhead reach activates your arms and shoulders; and the calf raise targets the calves.
—Jenny McCoy, Outside, 21 Nov. 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 14 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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