relèves

Relève is a French noun that designates the act of replacing a person in a role or the person who performs that replacement. It derives from the verb relever and embodies the idea of continuity of service, duty, or responsibility through substitution.

In labor contexts, la relève refers to the shift replacement: the incoming worker takes over duties from the outgoing one, typically during a handover to ensure uninterrupted operation. The person providing relief may be called un releve or un remplaçant, and the event or process is described as la relève de poste or la relève d’équipe. It is common in factories, hospitals, transport, and public services.

In military and security settings, la relève denotes the rotation of guards or troops, enabling continuous vigilance and operational readiness. A formal handover often accompanies the relève ceremony, marking the transition from one unit to another.

In sports and culture, la relève can refer to substitute players during a game, or more broadly to the next generation of performers or leaders—la relève sportive or la relève générationnelle. An équipe de relève is a reserve or development squad, intended to prepare talent for future roles.

In business and governance, the concept of relève is used in succession planning and leadership transition. Organizations establish a plan de relève to prepare future leaders for critical positions and to ensure smooth continuity in management and expertise.

See also: substitution, handover, succession, rotation.