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. 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

His paintings, unlike his drawings, consist largely of landscapes — nature scenes as well as overhead views of empty Austrian villages unperturbed by artists’ models or even the decently clothed.

From New York Times

Women reach for gloves and sweaters as they take turns hanging from an overhead assault course.

From BBC

Transport for Greater Manchester said they would be gritting bus stations and interchanges, and running trams overnight to keep overhead lines clear of frost.

From BBC

Battery-powered trains would save rail operators the cost of installing overhead wires on unelectrified tracks, which are found throughout the UK.

From BBC

You are walking through the smoke, a thick ceiling of it hanging overhead.

From BBC

Related Words

• expense
• upkeep