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
Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 13 June 2025
When the initial satellite passed overhead, the space-to-ground power finally reached the requisite level.
—ArsTechnica, 11 June 2025
Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 14 June 2025
Back at the driving range, chill R&B music is playing, and a handful of attendees are taking their final swings for the night before the overhead lights at the range shut off.
—Kailyn Brown, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2025
Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 June 2025
Google and other competitors continue pursuing surface code approaches that, while technically sound, requires a significant resource overhead for practical business applications.
—Steve McDowell, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for overhead
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Adverb
Fifty aircraft including combat helicopters will fly overhead.
—Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 13 June 2025
When the initial satellite passed overhead, the space-to-ground power finally reached the requisite level.
—ArsTechnica, 11 June 2025
Adjective
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, 14 June 2025
Back at the driving range, chill R&B music is playing, and a handful of attendees are taking their final swings for the night before the overhead lights at the range shut off.
—Kailyn Brown, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2025
Noun
The parade, which began 30 minutes early due to the weather forecast, was held along Constitution Avenue and featured approximately 6,600 soldiers, 84 military vehicles including 28 M1 Abrams tanks, and more than 60 aircraft overhead.
—Jesus Mesa, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 June 2025
Google and other competitors continue pursuing surface code approaches that, while technically sound, requires a significant resource overhead for practical business applications.
—Steve McDowell, Forbes.com, 13 June 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 18 Jun. 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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