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

Foundries can integrate this plumbing technique into current chip designs without buying billions of dollars in new machinery. —Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 16 June 2026

There was no power or plumbing in Hunt. —Karen Valby, Vanity Fair, 16 June 2026

The district’s response provides a full list of vehicles used by district employees, aside from school buses, for jobs like plumbing, roofing and school nutrition services. —Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 15 June 2026

If launched in the school building, the HBI program would involve 150 hours of study and earn certifications that would allow participants to move into full apprenticeships across a variety of trades, such as electrical, heating and cooling, plumbing and carpentry. —Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 14 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing plumbing

• indoor plumbing
• plumbing fixture

Rhymes for plumbing

• coming
• cumming
• drumming
• gumming
• humming
• numbing
• strumming
• summing
• thrumming
• thumbing
• becoming
• forthcoming

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