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
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
Roger Naylor, AZCentral.com, 29 Jan. 2026
More deal clouds overhanging the stock, according to the expert.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 21 Jan. 2026
Trista Kurniawan, CNN Money, 11 Feb. 2026
But now that overhang is weighing on those markets.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overhang
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Verb
Navajo National Monument, Betatakin Tucked inside a cavernous arch, the ancient village of Betatakin is completely sheltered by the overhanging canyon wall.
—Roger Naylor, AZCentral.com, 29 Jan. 2026
More deal clouds overhanging the stock, according to the expert.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 21 Jan. 2026
Noun
Lincoln’s Rock has long been one of the Blue Mountains’ quieter sunset spots — a rocky overhang with sweeping views across eucalyptus valleys just outside Sydney.
—Trista Kurniawan, CNN Money, 11 Feb. 2026
But now that overhang is weighing on those markets.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overhang
Cite this Entry
“Overhang.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overhang. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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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