› [C] HR, WORKPLACE an agreed period of time during the day or night when particular employees work, in a factory, hospital, etc.: He worked an 8 hour shift at the hospital.begin/end your shift They begin their shift at 4pm. › [C] HR, WORKPLACE the group of workers who work at a particular time: the day/night/late shift We work until 8am, when the day shift takes over. › [C, usually singular] a movement or change in something: a shift in sth There's been a major shift in strategy.a shift away from/towards sth The shift towards specialisation favours smaller firms.