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View synonyms for

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

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adverb

  1. over or above head height, esp in the sky
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

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

      an overhead smash

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

    overhead costs

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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.
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Other Word Forms

  • ԴDz·v·𲹻 noun adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of overhead1

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

Examples have not been reviewed.

With the sound of helicopters hovering overhead, the country singer Lee Greenwood took a phone call on Thursday while standing backstage at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.

From

The driver, an unidentified woman, was taken into custody after 12:30 p.m. while TV news helicopters broadcast the standoff live overhead.

From

Outside, under the warm April sunshine, groups of joyous African pilgrims in flashy head wraps ate gelato by the Bernini fountain, seagulls circling overhead.

From

Towered over by cranes, the tunnel entrance sits at the base of a steep coastal wall with sparkling seawater lying overhead.

From

Barrie heard the wail of sirens and roar of helicopters overhead but had no idea what had happened until a neighbour knocked on the door and broke the news.

From

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