1. Business: This is the most common meaning. It refers to the ongoing expenses a business incurs that are not directly related to the production of goods or services. These costs are necessary for the business to operate, but they don't contribute directly to revenue.
Examples of business overhead:
* Rent or mortgage payments
* Utilities (electricity, water, gas)
* Salaries and wages for administrative staff
* Insurance
* Marketing and advertising
* Office supplies
2. Physical: This meaning refers to something that is located above something else, often at a higher level.
Examples of physical overhead:
* "The airplane flew overhead."
* "The chandelier hung overhead."
3. Aircraft: In aviation, "overhead" refers to a position in the air directly above a certain point, such as a runway or a specific location on the ground.
Examples of overhead in aviation:
* "The pilot reported being overhead the airport at 3,000 feet."
* "The plane will make a turn overhead the city."
4. Audio: "Overhead" can also refer to a type of microphone that is positioned above the sound source, often used in live sound reinforcement.
5. Informal: In informal language, "overhead" can be used to describe something that is happening or being done above one's head.
Example of overhead in informal language:
* "The bird flew overhead and dropped a twig on my head."
To understand the meaning of "overhead" in a specific context, it's important to consider the surrounding words and the overall situation.