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
Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 7 Aug. 2025
Travelers beginning in Banff will be able to explore Banff National Park and the surrounding town, where the Cascade Mountain looms overhead.
—Katie Nadworny, Travel + Leisure, 7 Aug. 2025
Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 13 Aug. 2025
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, 13 Aug. 2025
Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 12 Aug. 2025
Knight said the county will partner with experienced nonprofit organizations that operate with lower overhead and strong community connections.
—Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for overhead
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Adverb
All month – The Dumbbell Nebula (M27) – One of the easiest planetary nebulas to observe, M27 appears within the Summer Triangle star pattern, high overhead in the first half of the night.
—Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 7 Aug. 2025
Travelers beginning in Banff will be able to explore Banff National Park and the surrounding town, where the Cascade Mountain looms overhead.
—Katie Nadworny, Travel + Leisure, 7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
Chance of lightning increases as a thunderstorm approaches and peaks when the storm is overhead.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 13 Aug. 2025
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, 13 Aug. 2025
Noun
Bright meteors and fireballs, very bright meteors, frequently streak across the night sky, creating a path of light and color overhead.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 12 Aug. 2025
Knight said the county will partner with experienced nonprofit organizations that operate with lower overhead and strong community connections.
—Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 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 21 Aug. 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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