What is night shift? How to use in English

Discover the meaning of night shift in English, its pronunciation, and how to use it correctly in real-life situations. See examples and easy memorization tips.

Definition & pronunciation of night shift

night shiftnoun

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/ˈnaɪt ʃɪft//ˈnaɪt ʃɪft/

Where does the word night shift come from?

The term "night shift" refers to the work schedule that requires employees to work during the overnight hours, typically between 11 pm and 7 am. The origin of this phrase can be traced back to the industrial revolution when factories began operating around the clock to meet the rising demand for goods. To maximize the use of machinery and resources, companies shifted their operations to the nighttime hours when workers were less expensive and more readily available. Moreover, some industries, such as healthcare and emergency services, require staffing around the clock, leading to the creation of night shifts in these areas as well. Nowadays, night shifts have various implications for workers' health, productivity, and lifestyle, which have drawn attention to the need for better working conditions and compensation for those who work outside of traditional daytime hours.

Example of vocabulary night shiftnamespace

meaning

a period of time at night during which a group of workers regularly work

  • He works the night shift at a clothing factory.
meaning

the workers who work during this period of time

  • The night shift had already gone home.

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