Overhanging

Overhanging is a term used to describe a part of a structure or landform that projects outward beyond its base, support, or edge. It refers to any portion that extends further than what would be expected from a straight line from the supporting point, creating an overhang or cantilever effect. The term is commonly applied in geology, architecture, and everyday description.

In geology and geomorphology, rock overhangs occur when weathering and erosion remove material from beneath a harder layer, leaving a protruding ledge. These features can shelter areas below but may also be unstable if the supporting rock erodes further. Overhangs influence landscape formation, slope stability, and the distribution of wind and water erosion.

In architecture and civil engineering, an overhang is a projection of a building element beyond the primary face of the structure. Examples include roofs, eaves, balconies, and cantilevered floors. Designing overhangs requires careful structural analysis to resist bending moments, wind loads, and thermal effects. Proper detailing can provide shade, weather protection, or aesthetic value, while poor design may lead to deflection, cracking, or collapse.

Other uses of the term appear in dentistry and everyday language. In dentistry, an overhanging margin describes a filling or restoration that extends beyond the natural tooth edge, which can cause oral health issues. In general writing, overhanging conveys the sense of something stretching beyond its normal boundary, often implying risk or deliberate extension.