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
Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 26 Dec. 2025
On another 3-point shot, Leonard drove past Rockets’ Tari Eason before stepping back, leaving his opponent three feet away from him as the ball soared overhead.
—Janis Carr, Oc Register, 25 Dec. 2025
Danielle Minnetian, FOXNews.com, 28 Dec. 2025
This bag comes in two sizes, medium and large, and both fit in the overhead bin.
—Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 28 Dec. 2025
Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 26 Dec. 2025
The Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority closed a portion of the line in large part to replace a wooden overhead trough, which housed electric wiring and was installed in the tunnel in the late 19th century, when the subway was first built.
—Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 21 Dec. 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.
—Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 26 Dec. 2025
On another 3-point shot, Leonard drove past Rockets’ Tari Eason before stepping back, leaving his opponent three feet away from him as the ball soared overhead.
—Janis Carr, Oc Register, 25 Dec. 2025
Adjective
Ban overhead sunlight 🤣 When shooting bikinis, sunrise or sunset are your best friends 😉.
—Danielle Minnetian, FOXNews.com, 28 Dec. 2025
This bag comes in two sizes, medium and large, and both fit in the overhead bin.
—Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 28 Dec. 2025
Noun
Since microwave signals can be multiplexed and sent through the same wire, the approach reduces hardware overheads and wiring complexity, making scalable quantum computers more feasible.
—Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 26 Dec. 2025
The Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority closed a portion of the line in large part to replace a wooden overhead trough, which housed electric wiring and was installed in the tunnel in the late 19th century, when the subway was first built.
—Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 21 Dec. 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 31 Dec. 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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