just-in-time

American  

adjective

1. Business. noting or pertaining to a method of inventory control that keeps inventories low by scheduling needed goods and equipment to arrive a short time before a production run begins. JIT

---

just-in-time British  

adjective

1.  JIT.  denoting or relating to an industrial method in which waste of resources is eliminated or reduced by producing production-line components, etc, as they are required, rather than holding large stocks

---

just in time Idioms  

1. see in the nick of time.

---

Etymology

Origin of just-in-time

First recorded in 1610–20 as an adverb, and in 1975–80 as an adjective

Example Sentences

The DOD is moving to in-stock from just-in-time inventory, which makes sense.

From Barron's • Jan. 16, 2026

After all, matching production to demand is crucial to a sector that does just-in-time manufacturing.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 16, 2025

Carmakers have a long tradition of using so-called "just-in-time delivery", where parts are not held in stock but delivered from suppliers exactly where and when they are needed.

From BBC • Oct. 5, 2025

“A just-in-time mindset that has persisted for almost three decades is giving way to a just-in-case approach, though delivering on these ambitions is challenging,” the report said.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 13, 2024

We were still a couple blocks from the shop, but I wanted to put the brakes on the just-in-time lecture.

From "Anthem of a Reluctant Prophet" by Joanne Proulx