night shift

American  

[nahyt shift] / ˈnaɪt ˌʃɪft /

noun

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

2. the scheduled period of labor for this workforce.

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night shift British  

noun

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

2. the period worked

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Etymology

Origin of night shift

First recorded in 1700–10

Compare meaning

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

• day shift vs. night shift

Example Sentences

“I have to. I’m staying at Zara’s tonight. My mom’s covering a night shift.”

From Literature

"Two days ago, I was walking home early in the morning after my night shift when I heard loud booms," she said.

From Barron's

The night shift means fewer calls, two hundred an hour instead of three times that during the day.

From Literature

In 2026 the city holds the title European Capital of Culture, though culture has been working the night shift here for centuries.

From Salon

But beneath that poise lie challenges far heavier than night shifts or 10-round fights.

From BBC