Is it simply something which is above someone's head or is there something else? You see, English is not my native language and often I don't understand slang.
I am referring to the WA but I can't post there without adding a pic.
As an adjective, it does usually mean that something is located above one's head. The most common example might be the "overhead baggage bins" in airliners.
As a noun, it could occasionally mean an object that is located overhead, but that would be unusual. Sailors might use the term to refer to what the rest of us call a "ceiling".
Probably the most common usage as a noun is in business terms, where it means the cost of doing business that doesn't bring in any business. Rent, electricity, taxes, etc.
Another frequent usage as a noun is as a short term for "overhead projector" or "overhead projection". That usage isn't heard as often now—we say "PowerPoint" instead.
o·ver·head Audio Help /adv. ˈoʊvərˈhɛd; adj., n. ˈoʊvərˌhɛd/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[adv. oh-ver-hed; adj., n. oh-ver-hed] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–adverb 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.
–adjective 3. situated, operating, or passing above, aloft, or over the head: an overhead sprinkler system.
4. of or pertaining to the general cost of running a business: overhead expenses; an overhead charge.
–noun 5. 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.
6. Accounting. that part of manufacturing costs for which cost per unit produced is not readily assignable.
7. (in a hoistway) the distance between the last floor level served and the beam supporting the hoisting sheaves or machinery.
8. (in racket sports) a stroke in which the ball or shuttlecock is hit with a downward motion from above the head; smash.
9. an overhead compartment, shelf, etc.: Pillows are in the overhead above each passenger's seat.
10. Also called overhead shot. Movies, Television. a shot in which the camera is positioned above the actors, esp. directly overhead.
11. a ceiling light in a room: Turn off the overheads when you leave.
12. Also called overhead projector. 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.
13. Also called overhead projection. a picture or image projected in this manner: a lecture enhanced with overheads.
Yakim,
You are seeing the word "overhead" used in some context -- writing, a description, a business discussion, etc. Could you copy a paragraph where it is used and post it here?
Obviously, there are several meanings. Seeing how the word is used in a paragraph would make it easier to define.
For example, a phographer must have photographic equipment -- camera, lenses, lights, etc. He may rent space for his studio. He must pay utility costs to keep the studio warm, or cool, and dry He must pay those costs before he takes his first picture. Those are costs of doing business. They are also defined as "overhead" costs.
This is a really great weekly contest theme because it also offers lovely photographic puns or pictures where multiple meanings are present simultaneously. I got an idea, but have to roam the city hoping for a "hit".
There are two kinds of overhead;fixed and variable. fixed overhead includes things like rent or mortgage for the studio, insurance, property taxes. Variable overhead includes utilities, transportation, etc.
For purposes of the assignment, you define the term, and put it on film (oops, pixel).
