plumbing

noun

plumb·​ing ˈplə-miŋ 

1

: the act of using a plumb

2

: a plumber's occupation or trade

3

a

: the apparatus (such as pipes and fixtures) concerned in the distribution and use of water in a building

b

: an internal system that resembles plumbing

especially : one consisting of conduits or channels for conveying fluids

Examples of plumbing in a Sentence

The house has old plumbing.

Recent Examples on the Web

The 36-year-old man owns a successful plumbing company and explained his wife, Anne, is an Ivy League graduate with a philosophy degree. —Ashley Vega, People.com, 7 Feb. 2025

Home warranties cover a variety of systems in your home, like electrical, plumbing and HVAC. —Brian Sloan, CNBC, 3 Feb. 2025

Pitcher, according to his father, was the owner of a plumbing business. —Chad De Guzman, TIME, 31 Jan. 2025

Residents are urged to take precautions to protect plants, pets and exposed plumbing from freezing temperatures. —Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 28 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing plumbing

• indoor plumbing
• plumbing fixture

Kids Definition

plumbing

noun

plumb·​ing ˈpləm-iŋ 

1

: a plumber's work

2

: a system of pipes for supplying and carrying off water in a building