overhead
Americanadverb
adjective
noun
-
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.
-
Accounting. that part of manufacturing costs for which cost per unit produced is not readily assignable.
-
(in a hoistway) the distance between the last floor level served and the beam supporting the hoisting sheaves or machinery.
-
(in racket sports) a stroke in which the ball or shuttlecock is hit with a downward motion from above the head; heads; smash.
-
an overhead compartment, shelf, etc..
Pillows are in the overhead above each passenger's seat.
-
Also called overhead shot. Movies, Television. a shot in which the camera is positioned above the actors, especially directly overhead.
-
a ceiling light in a room.
Turn off the overheads when you leave.
-
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.
-
Also called overhead projection. a picture or image projected in this manner.
a lecture enhanced with overheads.
adjective
-
situated or operating above head height or some other reference level
-
(prenominal) inclusive
the overhead price included meals
adverb
noun
-
-
a stroke in racket games played from above head height
-
( as modifier )
an overhead smash
-
-
nautical the interior lining above one's head below decks in a vessel
-
short for overhead door
-
(modifier) of, concerned with, or resulting from overheads
overhead costs
Other Word Forms
- nonoverhead noun
Etymology
Origin of overhead
late Middle English word dating back to 1425–75; over-, head
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The prosecution argued that Thomas P was "the responsible guide for the tour", failed to call for help in time, and didn't send any distress signals when a police helicopter flew overhead.
From BBC
In the nearby West Bank city of Ramallah, 15 kilometres north of Jerusalem, Palestinians mostly carried on with life as usual, with markets in full swing and conversations only occasionally interrupted by overhead blasts.
From Barron's
"I am hearing explosions and fighter jets overhead," one resident of central Tehran said at around 9:45 am local time, before communications and internet access were cut.
From Barron's
And in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates' capital, golfers enjoying a quiet round were stunned to see dozens of projectiles flying overhead.
From Barron's
The cost is lower because personnel, office rent and other overhead costs are cheaper than in the U.S.,
From Los Angeles Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
