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

Far overhead, out of sight and mind for most people on Earth, two different robotic missions are on the cusp of a revolutionary new era in 21st-century spaceflight. — Tom Metcalfe, Scientific American, 18 Aug. 2026

The ones still seeing IT as overhead are financing their competitors' business. — Juan Carlos Santiago, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026

Adjective

Tarik Muharemovic, the new Bosnian defender, then scored an overhead kick from an Ampadu long throw in a 4-0 win over Augsburg as Leeds completed pre-season on Saturday. — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026

Aviation pro Andres Celis says large roller bags that don’t fit properly in overhead bins can create unnecessary headaches during boarding as crew members try to find a place for them. — Alesandra Dubin, Travel + Leisure, 15 Aug. 2026

Noun

Each proposal should carry its long-term maintenance and community support case openly, not hide it in overhead. — Sarah Evans, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026

Firms in the middle carry enough overhead to need scale but lack enough scale to fund a differentiated platform. — Roman Pedan, Fortune, 14 Aug. 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