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
Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
But to see the greatest number of meteors, don't look in the direction of the radiant, but rather about 30 degrees from it, in the direction of the point directly overhead (the zenith).
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 19 Oct. 2025
Chance of lightning increases as a thunderstorm approaches and peaks when the storm is overhead.
—Star-Telegram Weather Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Oct. 2025
Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
Pixar — not to pick on them — but Pixar takes on many billions of dollars of risk and many thousands of employees of overhead.
—Julian Sancton, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overhead
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Adverb
With Sami's back turned, Dragunov tried to hit a move near the corner, but Sami dodged it and slammed his opponent back overhead.
—Matthew Couden, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Oct. 2025
But to see the greatest number of meteors, don't look in the direction of the radiant, but rather about 30 degrees from it, in the direction of the point directly overhead (the zenith).
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Its overhead roofing is also great for hanging string lights, so the space can be enjoyed well into the evening.
—Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 19 Oct. 2025
Chance of lightning increases as a thunderstorm approaches and peaks when the storm is overhead.
—Star-Telegram Weather Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Oct. 2025
Noun
For family-run businesses, this means higher rents and costlier overheads, as well as the exodus of communities that traditionally patronized them.
—Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
Pixar — not to pick on them — but Pixar takes on many billions of dollars of risk and many thousands of employees of overhead.
—Julian Sancton, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 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 20 Oct. 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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