day shift

American  

[dey shift] / ˈdeɪ ˌʃɪft /

noun

1. the workforce, as of a factory, scheduled to work during the daytime.

2. the scheduled period of labor for this workforce.

---

day shift British  

noun

1. a group of workers who work a shift during the daytime in an industry or occupation where a night shift or a back shift is also worked

2. the period worked

---

Etymology

Origin of day shift

First recorded in 1870–75

Compare meaning

How does day-shift compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• day shift vs. night shift

Example Sentences

Two victims - a mother who saved her baby in her dying moments and a security guard who was fatally stabbed on his first day shift - will receive posthumous awards.

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2026

“Let’s say you’re working a midnight shift and you’re in San Diego, but you’re covering for Sacramento, right? I could see that shift saying, ‘We’re going to let the day shift handle it,’” Tardy said.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 16, 2025

Since the drama stars Noah Wyle as Dr. Michael “Robby” Robinavitch, the attending physician on the day shift, associating it with NBC’s “ER” is understandable.

From Salon • Jun. 23, 2025

However, most other proteins had rhythms that changed substantially in night shift participants compared to the day shift participants.

From Science Daily • May 9, 2024

Twenty men worked during the day shift producing replacement parts for mine machinery and fabricating a variety of ductwork and support structures.

From "October Sky" by Homer Hickam