just-in-timeadv.n.adj.
/ˌdʒʌstɪnˈtʌɪm/, U.S. /ˈdʒəstənˈˌtaɪm/ A. adv.
At the latest possible moment to do something or for something to take place; at the last useful or suitable moment.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > [adverb] > at the last minute
at (or in) the (very) loose1589
just-in-time1614
1614 R. Gibbons Abridgm. Bruno's Medit. Life of Christ 206 Whilest Ioseph of Arimathia..tooke downe our Sauiours body from the Crosse, Nicodemus..came iust in time to honour our Sauiours buriall.
1709 R. Gould Wks. I. 197 O drop the Pencil!—there's too much display'd! Be quick! and cast the rest into a Shade! And just in Time; for now in View I find His Noble Mother.
1768 L. Sterne Sentimental Journey II. 158 I had got master of my secret, just in time to turn these honours to some little account.
1850 Star & Banner (Gettysburg, Pa.) 25 Oct. The depot, which he reached just in time to jump aboard the train as it departed.
1917 J. Martin Diary 20 Oct. in Sapper Martin (2010) 118 I was just in time for dinner.
1960 Times 14 Sept. 12/6 We found ourselves deposited in front of the local military academy just in time for their annual inspection.
2015 A. Mulligan Liquidator 323 We ducked under a spider's web of pipes, pausing just in time to let a waterbus sweep past.
B. n.
Business. A manufacturing system in which components are delivered at the time required for assembly, in order to minimize storage costs. Cf. kanban n. 2. Abbreviated JIT.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > business affairs > management methods or systems > [noun] > other methods or systems
Sisyphism1846
concentration1848
sweating system1851
mutualization1904
functionalization1912
spread-over1919
taipanism1921
Taylorism1928
Taylorization1929
unitization1929
stretch-out1933
speed-up1935
Stakhanovism1936
corporatization1949
suboptimization1950
quality management1953
matrix management1959
customization1967
divisionalization1967
knowledge management1971
just-in-time1977
kanban system1977
intrapreneurialism1982
kaizen1985
hot-desking1991
hotelling1991
1977 Y. Sugimori et al. in Internat. Jrnl. Production Res. 15 556 The basic rule of just-in-time; to produce only as much as possibly sold.
1982 R. Schonberger Japanese Manufacturing Techniques Pref. p. x Just-in-time has been a hot topic at their [sc. lower and middle managers'] professional association meetings in the past year or so.
1989 Accountancy May 153/1 Just-in-time demands spot on planning systems or a very stable order board.
2002 D. Goleman et al. Business: Ultimate Resource 1337/1 Single sourcing has risen in prominence in the West following the introduction of Japanese production techniques, particularly just-in-time.
C. adj.
Business. Designating or relating to such a manufacturing system.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > business affairs > management methods or systems > [adjective] > other methods or systems
functional1903
functionalized1908
Taylor1911
incentive1943
Taylorized1957
managerialist1965
divisionalized1976
kanban system1977
Taylorizing1979
JIT1984
just-in-time1984
1984 Internat. Managem. (Asia/Pacific ed.) Mar. 13/1 Just-in-time systems..are based on Toyota Motor Co.'s famed kanban (a recorder authorization card) method.
1991 Purchasing & Supply Managem. Apr. 40/1 Just In Time supplies were observed being delivered to the assembly line by a fleet of fast moving forklift trucks.
2010 T. Blair Journey ix. 284 The private sector had moved from mass production and standard items to just-in-time, customised products.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2013; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adv.n.adj.1614