overhead

[oh-ver-hed, 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 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

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

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

• nonoverhead noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of overhead¹

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

Example Sentences

Russian troops now outnumber Ukrainian soldiers inside the city, and their drones dominate the skies overhead, according to Ukrainian troops there.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Edison’s Dunleavy said that although the Acton homes in those neighborhoods were served by underground lines, they were connected to a circuit that had overhead lines, requiring them to be turned off.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Still, Colbert said he had no understanding of the world of network executives, saying that his show had a high overhead that cost-conscious higher-ups might not be able to move past.

Read more on Salon

At one demonstration, a Black Hawk helicopter circled overhead, reviving concerns that law enforcement was surveilling residents engaged in activities protected by the First Amendment.

Read more on Salon

Network Rail said the train had been removed and overhead lines had been repaired, adding it was confident disruption on the line north of Preston and south of Carlisle would clear by Wednesday morning.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• aerial 
• atop 
• skyward 
• upward