Jump To:

• just-in-time
  just-in-time

  adjective

  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
  just in time

  see in the nick of time.

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

See Examples For:

just-in-time just in time

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

That would hit consumers and businesses which tend to rely on so-called "just-in-time" supply chains for goods, he added.

From BBC ● Sep. 30, 2024

“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

They were last heavily underweight tech four years ago, just in time for ChatGPT’s release to supercharge the current AI-themed bull market.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 14, 2026

Instead, Eagles kicker Jake Elliott sent one that Abdullah could easily handle before he was brought down just in time for a field goal.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 12, 2026

People walking on the boardwalk narrowly evaded getting hit, with one woman jumping over the railing just in time before the car sped by.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 16, 2026

The shifts that occur, not just in time but in physical space, are linked to the tectonic movement in the play’s emotional ground.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 9, 2026

There was a ladder leaning up against the garage, and Frank’s warning came just in time to save Joe from tripping over it.

From "The Missing Mitt (The Hardy Boys: Secret Files, #2)" by Franklin W. Dixon