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Meaning & use

rostering

verb, noun·Everyday

Last updated

UK/ˈrɒstərɪŋ/
US/ˈrɑːstərɪŋ/

“rostering” is a form of “roster”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.

Meanings

  1. verbtransitive

    Arranging a list that shows when each person must work or be on duty.

    Grammar: Takes an object: roster the staff, roster someone for a shift.

    Patterns

    • roster someone for something
    • roster someone on something
    • roster staff

    The manager is rostering nurses for the night shift this month.

    They rostered me for three weekends in a row.

    We are rostering extra staff on public holidays.

  2. noununcountable

    The activity or process of making duty lists for workers.

    Grammar: Uncountable when it names the activity: rostering takes hours; not 'a rostering'.

    Patterns

    • shift rostering
    • staff rostering

    Good rostering keeps the ward fully covered at all times.

    The new software has made staff rostering much faster.

Word forms

third person singularrosters
past tenserostered
past participlerostered
-ing formrostering

Common combinations

rostering staff
Rostering staff fairly means sharing the unpopular shifts.
shift rostering
Shift rostering for a 24-hour call center is complicated.
roster someone for a shift
They rostered him for the early shift on Friday.
roster someone on a duty
She was rostered on reception duty all week.
a rostering system
The hospital introduced a new rostering system last year.

Synonyms and how they differ

scheduling
The usual American word for the same idea; it is also fine in British English but sounds more general.
allocating
Focuses on giving out tasks or resources; it does not necessarily involve a written duty list.
assigning
Means giving someone a particular job; rostering is specifically about putting people on a work timetable.

Word family

roster noun
A list showing when each person works or is on duty.
roster verb
To put someone on such a list.
rostered adjective
Scheduled to work at a particular time, as in 'I'm rostered on Sunday'.

Commonly confused: rostering or roasting? rostering or rooster?

rostering vs roasting

Sounds similar but means cooking with dry heat, or criticizing someone strongly; it has nothing to do with work schedules.

rostering vs rooster

A male chicken; the -ing form of 'roster' is spelled with one 'o' in the middle.

Practice

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