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
Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 July 2025
Avoid watering roses overhead, remove any debris from the base of the plant, and dispose of infected leaves and branches.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 16 July 2025
Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 21 July 2025
This hard-shell set is lightweight, meets TSA regulations, and fits perfectly in most overhead bins, even on smaller planes.
—Julie Rousseau, Travel + Leisure, 19 July 2025
Dave Krauthamer, Forbes.com, 18 July 2025
But leaders of the state’s federally qualified health centers say the money received through the federal Health Center Program — which is among the more than a dozen initiatives affected by the new policy — supports staffing, electronic medical records and overhead at community health centers.
—Janhavi Munde, Hartford Courant, 16 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for overhead
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Adverb
The spa is especially popular for its unique setting—surrounded by black volcanic rock and often enjoyed while snow falls or the Northern Lights dance overhead.
—Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 July 2025
Avoid watering roses overhead, remove any debris from the base of the plant, and dispose of infected leaves and branches.
—Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 16 July 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, 21 July 2025
This hard-shell set is lightweight, meets TSA regulations, and fits perfectly in most overhead bins, even on smaller planes.
—Julie Rousseau, Travel + Leisure, 19 July 2025
Noun
Embedding compliance rules into policy not only automates enforcement but also generates a verifiable audit trail, reducing both risk and administrative overhead.
—Dave Krauthamer, Forbes.com, 18 July 2025
But leaders of the state’s federally qualified health centers say the money received through the federal Health Center Program — which is among the more than a dozen initiatives affected by the new policy — supports staffing, electronic medical records and overhead at community health centers.
—Janhavi Munde, Hartford Courant, 16 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 25 Jul. 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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