night shift
Americannoun
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the workforce, as of a factory, scheduled to work during the nighttime.
-
the scheduled period of labor for this workforce.
noun
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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
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of night shift
First recorded in 1700–10
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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.
It worked on Raycer Martin, a 19-year-old student and wine-bar chef from Arizona who plays videogames to relax after his night shift.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 10, 2026
Melatonin supplements may help the body repair DNA damage linked to night shift work, according to a small clinical trial published in Occupational & Environmental Medicine.
From Science Daily • May 30, 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
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
Hazel was tempted to say yes, but the other crew members had taken the night shift and had earned their rest.
From "The House of Hades" by Rick Riordan
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.
