night shift
Americannoun
-
the workforce, as of a factory, scheduled to work during the nighttime.
-
the scheduled period of labor for this workforce.
noun
-
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
-
the period worked
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:
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Most participants also worked in healthcare, which means the results may not apply to all night shift workers.
From Science Daily • May 30, 2026
However, the researchers stress that larger studies are needed before melatonin can be recommended as a long-term strategy for reducing cancer risk in night shift workers.
From Science Daily • May 30, 2026
Richard Thompson says his wife was working a night shift as a carer in Grimsby when her moped was stolen.
From BBC • May 19, 2026
"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 • Mar. 16, 2026
Only to discover that thanks to Herr Braun, I am now on the night shift.
From "The Light in Hidden Places" by Sharon Cameron
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
