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shift

shift

542 2.1
A period of work during which people do a job
  • noun
  • /ʃɪft/
translation icon : turno
  • Or sometimes she worked the day shift so she could be home at night.
  • night shift
  • day shift
  • an evening shift

With Trump, you also need a night shift, All right?

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Examples

  • Day shift starting in T-minus 15 minutes.

  • The workers for the morning shift gathered in the break room before starting their tasks.

  • How was your first shift in the new place?

  • And she would be there my entire shift, like start to finish.

  • As it happens, my shift finished an hour ago.

  • I got to get these to City Hall before the end of my shift.

  • I want a full report at the end of each shift.

  • Susan returned to the nursing unit for her first night shift after being off for several days.

    Academic text (2015)
  • You're gonna work a double shift to make it up!

  • They have to work a shift in an A&W restaurant each quarter.

Synonyms

night shift
vsshift
52 2.1

Work that happens during the night or the people who do it

is a general work period covering any time of day or night
graveyard shift
vsshift
15 3.9

A night work period from midnight to early morning

is a broad term for work times, not only late night hours
day shift
vsshift
12 2.2

A period of work during the day, usually from morning to afternoon, or the workers who work then

is any work period, not restricted to day hours
trick
vsshift
  • Slang
11 8.3

A period of work when someone is on duty

is the common term for any scheduled work period
evening shift
vsshift
3 2.7

A period of work in the late afternoon and evening

is a neutral term for work periods at any time
swing shift
vsshift
  • US
3 4.3

An evening work shift from late afternoon until around midnight

is the general label for any scheduled work time
work shift
vsshift
2 2.3

A period of time when you are scheduled to work, for example morning or night

is the general name for any period when people work
split shift
vsshift
  • US
1 4.6

A work schedule with two short work periods separated by a long break

is the simple concept of one continuous work period without breaks
duty period
vsshift
3.1

A set time when a person must work and be available

is a general work period term not limited to official duty

Antonyms

1.0

A short rest from work or activity

703 1.0

A period when you stop activity to relax or sleep

Compounds

52 2.1

Work that happens during the night or the people who do it

A night work period from midnight to early morning

12 2.2

A period of work during the day, usually from morning to afternoon, or the workers who work then

5 4.0

A car transmission you operate with a gear stick and clutch pedal

A very large and sudden change in ideas, beliefs, or ways of doing things

A period of work in the late afternoon and evening

3 4.3

An evening work shift from late afternoon until around midnight

2 2.3

A period of time when you are scheduled to work, for example morning or night

red shift
  • Specialized
2 7.2

Light from distant galaxies moves toward red light, showing they move away

A very big change in a field like business or public opinion

1 2.7

A key on a keyboard that makes letters capital and types other characters

population shift
  • Specialized
1 4.4

A change in where people live or how many live there

Doppler shift
  • Specialized
1 6.5

A change in sound pitch or light colour when the source and observer move

1 5.2

A large change in how people do things around the world

1 4.6

A work schedule with two short work periods separated by a long break

A sudden change in plan or way of doing things to improve results

shift register
  • Specialized
7.7

A small memory that moves bits left or right one place at a time

How Long

overtime
20 2.7
split shift
  • US
1 4.6
shift
542 2.1

Surface Forms

shift singular
shifts plural

Etymology

Shift for a period of work comes from the idea of a 'turn' or 'change' of people on duty, so a work shift is simply your turn to work during a certain time.