Thinning
Thinning turns up in 2 fields: farming, shop slang. Here is what it means to the people in each one.
Thinning in farming
The selective removal of excess seedlings or young fruit to reduce competition.
Pulling out weaker or overcrowded plants ensures the remaining crop has adequate access to sunlight, water, and soil nutrients. In orchards, it involves plucking immature fruit from heavy clusters so the tree directs its energy into growing larger, higher-quality produce rather than breaking branches under excessive weight. It sacrifices overall count for individual size and vigor.
"We need a crew out in the peach block tomorrow for thinning, the sets are way too heavy this year."
Thinning in shop slang
The dangerous reduction of a material's thickness due to wear, stretching, or corrosion.
The localized loss of material thickness in a part, pipe, or sheet metal component. It occurs from abrasive wear, chemical erosion, or excessive stretching during forming processes like bending or deep drawing. Inspectors measure it carefully because it creates a weak point that can lead to catastrophic failure under pressure.
"Ultrasonic testing shows severe wall thinning on the discharge pipe, so we need to schedule a replacement."