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

Major scientific assessments have also treated persistent night shift work and light at night as important public health concerns.

From Science Daily • May 30, 2026

However, the same effect was not seen during the subsequent night shift.

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

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

From Salon • Mar. 8, 2026

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

From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse