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
Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 9 Nov. 2025
Designer Chad Graci applied it to living-room ceilings of a private residence at the Four Seasons in New Orleans, where the lacquer hovers overhead like a shimmering pond.
—Kathryn O’Shea-Evans, Robb Report, 8 Nov. 2025
François Candelon, Fortune, 31 Oct. 2025
The restaurant treats dining as theater—guests are seated theater-in-the-round style around the chefs, who work under overhead lighting that acts like a spotlight.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 30 Oct. 2025
AFAR Media, 30 Oct. 2025
On a stretch of desert within view of a camel racetrack and protected land for ancient dunes — where fighter jets from the Al Dhafra Air Base occasionally zip by overhead — Abu Dhabi renewable energy firm Masdar has begun construction on the world’s largest solar-and-battery power project.
—Kelsey Warner, semafor.com, 27 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overhead
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Adverb
The likelihood of lightning increases as a thunderstorm gets closer and reaches its highest point when the storm is directly overhead.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 9 Nov. 2025
Designer Chad Graci applied it to living-room ceilings of a private residence at the Four Seasons in New Orleans, where the lacquer hovers overhead like a shimmering pond.
—Kathryn O’Shea-Evans, Robb Report, 8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
This approach can reduce the overhead coordination of traditional innovation processes while maximizing the probability of generating top-tier ideas from the start.
—François Candelon, Fortune, 31 Oct. 2025
The restaurant treats dining as theater—guests are seated theater-in-the-round style around the chefs, who work under overhead lighting that acts like a spotlight.
—Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 30 Oct. 2025
Noun
The crust pressed into my spine, the enormous sky vaulting overhead.
—AFAR Media, 30 Oct. 2025
On a stretch of desert within view of a camel racetrack and protected land for ancient dunes — where fighter jets from the Al Dhafra Air Base occasionally zip by overhead — Abu Dhabi renewable energy firm Masdar has begun construction on the world’s largest solar-and-battery power project.
—Kelsey Warner, semafor.com, 27 Oct. 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 9 Nov. 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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