Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

shift

2 noun
     
Related topics: Employment, Computers
shift2 [countable]
1 a change in the way people think about something, in the way something is done etc
shift from/to
the shift from one type of economic system to another
shift in
an important shift in policy
a marked shift (=noticeable change) in attitudes towards women
2
a) BE if workers in a factory, hospital etc work shifts, they work for a particular period of time during the day or night, and are then replaced by others, so that there are always people working
do/work a (10/12/24 etc hour) shift
Dave had to work a 12-hour shift yesterday.
I work shifts.
night/day etc shift
The thought of working night shifts put her off becoming a nurse.
early/late shift
I'm on the early shift tomorrow.
shift work/worker/working
people who do shift work
A shift system has been introduced.
b) the workers who work during one of these periods
night/day/early/late shift
before the early shift goes off duty
3TD a shift key:
To run the spellchecker, press SHIFT and F7.
4 a simple straight loose-fitting woman's dress
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.
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