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
Adam Carlson, People.com, 7 July 2025
Finance and legal are often seen as compliance overhead by many CEOs.
—Shivaram Rajgopal, Forbes.com, 5 July 2025
Kansas City Star, 8 July 2025
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, 8 July 2025
Christopher Weber, Chicago Tribune, 8 July 2025
Forget common overheads for now and focus on direct margin for this activity.
—Shivaram Rajgopal, Forbes.com, 5 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for overhead
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Adverb
As helicopters started flying overhead, the campers realized how grave the situation had become.
—Adam Carlson, People.com, 7 July 2025
Finance and legal are often seen as compliance overhead by many CEOs.
—Shivaram Rajgopal, Forbes.com, 5 July 2025
Adjective
Chance of lightning increases as a thunderstorm approaches and peaks when the storm is overhead.
—Kansas City Star, 8 July 2025
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, 8 July 2025
Noun
Betsy Bolte, who lives nearby, came to the park after seeing a military-style helicopter circling overhead.
—Christopher Weber, Chicago Tribune, 8 July 2025
Forget common overheads for now and focus on direct margin for this activity.
—Shivaram Rajgopal, Forbes.com, 5 July 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 12 Jul. 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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