overhead

American  

[oh-ver-hed, oh-ver-hed] / ˈoʊ vərˈhɛd, ˈoʊ vərˌhɛd /

adverb

1. over one's head; 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.

   an overhead sprinkler system.

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

   overhead expenses; an overhead charge.

noun

overheads plural

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; smash.

5. an overhead compartment, shelf, etc..

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

6. Also called overhead 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 overhead projector.  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 overhead projection.  a picture or image projected in this manner.

   a lecture enhanced with overheads.

overhead British  

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. short for overhead door

4. (modifier) of, concerned with, or resulting from overheads

   overhead costs

overhead Cultural  

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 Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nonoverhead
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• overheads
  plural

Etymology

Origin of overhead

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

Explanation

Anything that's located above you is overhead — it’s literally over your head. An overhead compartment on an airplane is a good place to stash your carry-on suitcase. Overhead is also the money it takes to run a business. Overhead works as both an adjective and an adverb: "An overhead view of the football field gives the spectators a better idea of the game, and a drone flying overhead is the perfect way to achieve it." There's also an overhead stroke in tennis, an overhead projector showing a movie in science class, and the overhead, or up-front expenses, that a new business requires.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

overhead overheads

In the main square, Lebanese soldiers used heavy machinery to remove rubble as drones buzzed overhead.

From Barron's ● Jul. 28, 2026

With their dated decor, hotel-like hallways, overhead ceiling tiles and abandoned office spaces, the Backrooms resemble the overlooked non-places of modern life – spaces many people recognize but rarely notice.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 26, 2026

France’s Rafale and Mirage jet fighters flew overhead, joined by jets from European allies.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 14, 2026

Four-year-old Juni Wahab was entranced by the sight of the swallows and cormorants swooping low overhead and the rushing twists of water.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 13, 2026

Timidly Betsie and I stepped out of line and walked to the door of the big, dank-smelling room with its row on row of overhead spigots.

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom

And in this case, the marginal cost of each ticket is small – there are not even any very substantial overheads to cover, which often justify a higher price.

From Salon ● Jun. 14, 2026

This is what economists call a cost-push shock: Rising input costs work through the supply chain, lifting intermediary material costs and overheads.

From MarketWatch ● May 13, 2026

Higher aluminum can and freight costs ate into its gross margins slightly, but Monster reduced the percentage of its sales eaten up by operating costs and overheads.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 7, 2026

In addition to the higher potential for inflation, Tuesday’s PMI data showed lower employment as “firms generally sought to reduce overheads in the uncertain economic climate.”

From Barron's ● Mar. 24, 2026

I answered phones and made plasticene overheads and picked up dry cleaning and kids from day care.

From "Native Speaker" by Chang-rae Lee

Related Words

• aerial
• atop
• skyward
• upward