used to describe a method of production that aims to cut costs while keeping quality high by producing only the quantity of goods that has been ordered and by reducing the amount of time and space that the production process uses 精益生产的（旨在降低成本的一种生产方式，即通过只生产订购的产品并且减少生产过程使用的时间和空间来保持高品质）◆By focusing on the elimination of waste, the plant has become a model of lean manufacturing. 着眼於消除浪费，这厂已成为精益生产的典范。◆They have cut costs through leaner processes and more efficient logistics. 他们通过精益生产和更有效的物流降低了成本。
(about costs, quantities, etc.) very low; as low as possible （成本、数量等）极低的，尽可能低的◆Companies are trying to keep their workforces lean, so jobs are hard to find. 各公司正努力精简劳动力，所以很难找工作。◆If sales fall, dealers will cut back their lean inventories of new cars even further. 如果销售量下降，经销商将进一步削减本来已经很低的新车库存。
(about organizations, etc.) strong and efficient, especially because the number of employees has been reduced （指机构等）精干的，效率高的◆The closure of the factory is difficult but will produce a leaner, fitter business. 关闭工厂是困难的，但将使业务简而精。
[] used to describe a difficult period of time that does not produce much money, etc. （一段时间）难以赚钱的◆The company has recovered well after several lean years. 经历了几年的萧条之後，这家公司的业务才完全恢复正常。◆This is the leanest time of year for the tourist industry. 这是旅游业每年最不景气的时期。
▸leanness /ˈliːnnəs/
noun
[] ◆We are aiming to improve the leanness of the production process. 我们的目标是使生产过程精干高效。