Overhead

Pronunciation

/ˌoʊvərˈhɛd/

Definitions

• Adjective: Situated or coming from above one’s head; higher up than something else. For example: “The airplane flew overhead.”
• Noun: Expenses that a business incurs but which cannot be attributed directly to a specific product or service, such as rent, utilities, or salaries. For example: “The company needs to reduce its overhead costs.”

As Adjective

• Definition: Located above and often supported from above; hanging over. For example: “There were pipes running overhead in the basement.”

  Example Sentence: “We had to install soundproofing panels on the overhead ceiling to reduce noise.”

As Noun

• Definition: In business contexts, overhead refers to indirect costs that are not related to production or services directly. These costs are spread across all products or services produced by the company.

  Example Sentence: “The new factory has lower overheads, which will increase our profit margins.”

Phrases

• “Overhead expenses”: General business costs not directly tied to production, like office rent and electricity bills.
• “Overhead projector”: A device used to display images or data onto a screen from above the presenter or audience.

Example Sentences

• Adjective: “The birds nested in the branches overhead.”
• Noun: “The company streamlined operations to cut down on unnecessary overheads.”

Synonyms

• (As Adjective) - Above, elevated, upper, lofty
• (As Noun) - Indirect costs, operating expenses, administrative expenses, fixed costs