overhead

[ adverb oh-ver-hed; adjective noun oh-ver-hed ]

adverb

1. over one's head; heads; aloft; up in the air or sky, especially near the zenith:

   There was a cloud overhead.

2. so as to be completely submerged or deeply involved:

   to plunge overhead in water; to sink overhead in debt.

adjective

1. situated, operating, or passing above, aloft, or over the head: heads:

   an overhead sprinkler system.

2. of or relating to the general cost of running a business:

   overhead expenses; an overhead charge.

noun

1. the general, fixed cost of running a business, as rent, lighting, and heating expenses, which cannot be charged or attributed to a specific product or part of the work operation.
2. Accounting. that part of manufacturing costs for which cost per unit produced is not readily assignable.
3. (in a hoistway) the distance between the last floor level served and the beam supporting the hoisting sheaves or machinery.
4. (in racket sports) a stroke in which the ball or shuttlecock is hit with a downward motion from above the head; heads; smash.
5. an overhead compartment, shelf, etc.:

   Pillows are in the overhead above each passenger's seat.

6. Also called overhead shot. Movies, Television. a shot in which the camera is positioned above the actors, especially directly overhead.
7. a ceiling light in a room:

   Turn off the overheads when you leave.

8. Also called overhead projector. a projector capable of projecting images above and behind the person operating it, thus allowing a lecturer or speaker to remain facing the audience while using it.
9. Also called overhead projection. a picture or image projected in this manner:

   a lecture enhanced with overheads.

overhead

adjective

1. situated or operating above head height or some other reference level
2. prenominal inclusive

   the overhead price included meals

adverb

1. over or above head height, esp in the sky

noun

1. 1. a stroke in racket games played from above head height
   2. ( as modifier )

      an overhead smash

2. nautical the interior lining above one's head below decks in a vessel
3. See overhead door
   short for overhead door
4. modifier of, concerned with, or resulting from overheads

   overhead costs

overhead

1. All costs of running a business other than wages paid to production workers or payments for raw material to be used in production. Overhead includes the cost of renting or leasing a store in which business is transacted, the cost of heating a factory, and similar expenses.

Other Words From

• non·over·head noun adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of overhead¹

late Middle English word dating back to 1425–75; over-, head

Example Sentences

Whether you’re a late-night reader or prefer to illuminate your room without any overhead bulbs, a lamp can provide a function and be a creature comfort.

From Popular-Science

For example, new software could give astronomers a heads up for when and where satellites are expected to pass overhead.

From MIT Technology Review

We also dispatch personnel to substations to assess and repair any issues that arise during the day, and utilize overhead and underground crews to assess and repair any issues.

From Washington Blade

Astronomers would peer through an eyepiece to guide the telescope by hand, keeping up with the stars as they spun by overhead.

From Quanta Magazine

The company said it increased marketing investment by 270 basis points — or around $480 million — though this increase was partially offset by 230 basis points of overhead and marketing expense savings.

From Digiday

Twin buglers played “Taps” and three police helicopters flew overhead in the missing-man formation.

From The Daily Beast

But they have high fixed costs—overhead, maintenance, staff, and power.

From The Daily Beast

A Molotov cocktail tumbled in an arc overhead and erupted briefly in a blaze.

From The Daily Beast

U.S. warplanes roaring overhead unleashed missiles and precision-guided bombs, but they could do nothing to solve this problem.

From The Daily Beast

Bulbs strung among branches in the overhead wild hibiscus tree form a radiant canopy.

From The Daily Beast

Out of the darkening sky rang the twanging call of a night-hawk, and the cluck of a dozing hen sounded from the foliage overhead.

From Project Gutenberg

The gigantic pylon, its shoulders breaking the sky four-square far overhead, seemed the prodigious portal of another world.

From Project Gutenberg

The long dry fingers of the palm trees rattled overhead, and looking up, he saw the divine light of the starry heavens.

From Project Gutenberg

Coming to a gate of red stone, Yung Pak asked the meaning of the carved arrow in the arch overhead.

From Project Gutenberg

And the lead wire from the aerials, well grounded, was brought directly in from overhead and connected with the radio set.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• expense
• upkeep