overhead
Meaning: The ongoing costs of running a business that are not directly attributable to producing a specific product or service, such as rent, utilities, and administrative expenses.
Overheads (often used in the plural in British English) include fixed costs like rent, insurance, and salaries of support staff. Reducing overheads is a common strategy for improving profitability. In computing, overhead refers to the processing time or resources required beyond the minimum needed for a task.
Examples
- The company reduced its overheads by moving to a smaller office in a less expensive area. 该公司通过搬到一个较便宜地区的小型办公室来削减间接费用。La empresa redujo sus gastos generales trasladándose a una oficina más pequeña en una zona más económica.その企業はより安い地域の小規模なオフィスに移転することで間接費を削減した。그 기업은 더 저렴한 지역의 소규모 사무실로 이전하여 간접비를 줄였다.
- High overhead costs are eating into the profit margins of the restaurant. 高昂的间接费用正在侵蚀这家餐厅的利润率。Los elevados costes fijos están mermando los márgenes de beneficio del restaurante.高い間接費がそのレストランの利益率を圧迫している。높은 간접비가 그 레스토랑의 이익률을 잠식하고 있다.
- Working from home has allowed many firms to cut their overhead significantly. 居家办公使许多企业大幅削减了间接成本。El teletrabajo ha permitido a muchas empresas recortar notablemente sus gastos generales.在宅勤務により、多くの企業が間接費を大幅に削減することができた。재택근무 덕분에 많은 기업이 간접비를 크게 절감할 수 있었다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: professional
Tone: neutral
Origin & History
From over + head, originally meaning something positioned above. The business sense of ongoing operating costs developed in the early 20th century.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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