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

To explore whether melatonin could improve DNA repair, researchers conducted a randomized placebo controlled trial involving 40 night shift workers.

From Science Daily • May 30, 2026

Most participants also worked in healthcare, which means the results may not apply to all night shift workers.

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

Because he worked the night shift, he would make sure we got busy doing our homework, and by the time he had to leave for work, my mother would be walking in the door.

From "Proud" by Ibtihaj Muhammad