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 drive is all about the unexpected, from a moose munching on leaves at the side of the road to elk meandering along the tree line to bald eagles soaring overhead. —Rebecca Deurlein, Travel + Leisure, 17 June 2026

Trump and family members were in attendance and entered the fighting ring to congratulate the champion as fireworks burst overhead at the end. —Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 16 June 2026

Adjective

But Edson Álvarez jumped high to boot it away from the goal line with an overhead kick, landing on his back in the process. —Andrew Greif, NBC news, 19 June 2026

Chance of lightning increases as a thunderstorm approaches and peaks when the storm is overhead. —Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 19 June 2026

Noun

The real drivers are vertical integration and lower overhead (including cheaper R&D). —Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 15 June 2026

The now-19-year-old’s untapped talent and potential are obvious, highlighted by an outrageous overhead kick that rescued a point in the closing moments against Bournemouth at the Amex in January. —Andy Naylor, New York Times, 15 June 2026

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