Illustration of overhang
- 1 overhang 3
over·hang
ˈō-vər-ˌhaŋ 
ˌō-vər-ˈhaŋ
overhung
ˈō-vər-ˌhəŋ
ˌō-vər-ˈhəŋ
; overhanging
ˌō-vər-ˈhəŋ
; overhanging
: to project so as to be over something
over·hang
ˈō-vər-ˌhaŋ
plural overhangs
1
: something that overhangs
also
: the extent of the overhanging
2
: the part of the bow or stern of a ship that projects over the water above the waterline
3
: a projection of the roof or upper story of a building beyond the wall of the lower part
4
a
: an excess of something that is left over and not easily disposed of
inventory overhang
Housing prices will not stabilize until the massive overhang of foreclosed homes is reduced.—
Robert Borosage
Robert Borosage
b
: an excess amount of a commodity or security the selling of which often drives down the value of that kind of commodity or security
share overhang
Synonyms
Examples of overhang in a Sentence
Verb
A cliff overhangs the trail.
The patio was overhung by a canopy.
The path was overhung with willow trees.
Noun
The overhang of the roof cast a shadow on the ground.
a recess in the face of the cliff that is hidden by the thick vines dangling from the jagged overhang above
Recent Examples on the Web
Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 13 Dec. 2024
This area is not wooded except for a brief segment that passes beneath an overhanging arch of branches and crosses a bridge over a stream.
—Daniel Bromfield, The Mercury News, 13 Jan. 2025
Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Feb. 2025
The monastery was ingeniously placed beneath a small overhang that prevents it from getting soaked on rainy days.
—Shoshi Parks, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for overhang 
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Verb
Trim overhanging tree branches, clear dense vegetation and clean up woodpiles or debris where rats might nest.
—Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 13 Dec. 2024
This area is not wooded except for a brief segment that passes beneath an overhanging arch of branches and crosses a bridge over a stream.
—Daniel Bromfield, The Mercury News, 13 Jan. 2025
Noun
Sometimes a large patio door facing east will let in more light than a small south-facing window that is shielded by an overhang.
—Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Feb. 2025
The monastery was ingeniously placed beneath a small overhang that prevents it from getting soaked on rainy days.
—Shoshi Parks, Smithsonian Magazine, 31 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for overhang
Dictionary Entries Near overhang
Cite this Entry
“Overhang.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overhang. Accessed 13 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
overhang
1 of 2 verb
over·hang
ˈō-vər-ˌhaŋ
ˌō-vər-ˈhaŋ
overhung
-ˌhəŋ
-ˈhəŋ
; overhanging
1
: to stick out or hang over
2
overhang
2 of 2 noun
over·hang
ˈō-vər-haŋ
: a part that overhangs
the overhang of a roof
Medical Definition
overhang
noun
over·hang
ˈō-vər-ˌhaŋ
: a portion of a filling that extends beyond the normal contour of a tooth
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