—adj., n.ō'vur-hed"), [key]
1. over one's head; aloft; up in the air or sky, esp. 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.
1. situated, operating, or passing above, aloft, or over the head: an overhead sprinkler system.
2. of or pertaining to the general cost of running a business: overhead expenses; an overhead charge.
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; smash.
5. an overhead compartment, shelf, etc.: Pillows are in the overhead above each passenger's seat.
6. Also called o'verhead shot". Motion Pictures, Television.a shot in which the camera is positioned above the actors, esp. 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.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.