1
: a dealer or worker in lead
2
: one who installs, repairs, and maintains piping, fittings, and fixtures involved in the distribution and use of water in a building
3
: a person whose job is to prevent or put an end to leaks of sensitive information

Examples of plumber in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
To join the family business or become a postal worker or plumber to support and enrich their communities. — Kiryn Hoffman, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026 In 2023, plumbers replaced about 70 toilets at the European Space Agency’s Paris headquarters with ones that funnel urine to a basement treatment plant. — Sal Vaglica, Time, 15 Oct. 2026 Court filings said the McCoys brought in another plumber who discovered the plumbing vents were emitting gases into the attic. — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Oct. 2026 Their eldest son, a union plumber in Brighton, leans conservative. — Eric Lau, Washington Post, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for plumber

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French plummer, plomner, from Latin plumbarius, from plumbum

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of plumber was in the 15th century

Cite this Entry

“Plumber.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plumber. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Kids Definition

: a person who puts in or repairs the pipes and fixtures involved in the distribution and use of water in a building
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster