overhead overhead /ˈoʊvɝˈhɛd/

adjective

1. () Located or originating from above  ( overhead )
   located or originating from above
    An overhead crossing
   an overhead crossing
   

adverb

1. () Above the head; over the head  ( overhead )
   above the head; over the head
    Bring the legs together overhead
   bring the legs together overhead
   
2. () Above your head; in the sky  ( overhead )
   above your head; in the sky
    Planes were flying overhead
   planes were flying overhead
   

noun

1. () (tax) the expense of maintaining property (e.g., paying property taxes and utilities and insurance); it does not include depreciation or the cost of financing or income taxes  ( budget items , operating expense , operating cost , overhead )
   (tax) the expense of maintaining property (e.g., paying property taxes and utilities and insurance); it does not include depreciation or the cost of financing or income taxes
     The company needed to reduce its overhead costs to improve profitability.
   The company needed to reduce its overhead costs to improve profitability.
   
2. A hard return hitting the tennis ball above your head  ( overhead , smash )
   a hard return hitting the tennis ball above your head
   
3. (nautical) the top surface of an enclosed space on a ship  ( overhead )
   (nautical) the top surface of an enclosed space on a ship
   
4. A transparency for use with an overhead projector  ( overhead , viewgraph )
   a transparency for use with an overhead projector
   
   
5. (computing) the disk space required for information that is not data but is used for location and timing  ( disk overhead , overhead )
   (computing) the disk space required for information that is not data but is used for location and timing
   
6. (computing) the processing time required by a device prior to the execution of a command  ( command overhead , command processing overhead , command processing overhead time , overhead )
   (computing) the processing time required by a device prior to the execution of a command