I. | ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ adverb
Etymology: over (II) + head, n.
1. : above one's head: as
a. : in the sky : on high : aloft
looking up at the stars overhead
overhead the terns hovering close — E.A.Weeks
b. : in the story or on the floor above
making a terrific racket overhead
2. : so as to be covered head and all
plunged overhead into the water
II. ˈ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ adjective
1.
a. : operating or situated above or overhead
gardens … equipped with overhead irrigation — Monsanto Magazine
b. : passing over the head
an overhead rein
c. : above the grade of a railway or highway
an overhead crossing
d. : having the driving part above the part driven
an overhead pulley shaft
2. : general, indirect, or undistributed as distinct from particular and direct
overhead charges
overhead expenses
III. ˈ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ noun
1.
a. : those general charges or expenses in a business which cannot be charged up as belonging exclusively to any particular part of the work or product (as rent, taxes, insurance, lighting, heating, accounting and other office expenses, and depreciation)
b. : a particular charge of such character
there were too many overheads — F.D.Ommanney
2. : ceiling
a big room with a low overhead — R.O.Bowen
especially : the ceiling of a ship's compartment
3. North & Midland : a loft in a barn ; specifically : haymow
4. : a stroke in a racket game made above head height : smash
5. : the effluent vapor from the top of a distillation column