plumbing

1 of 2

noun

plumb·​ing ˈplə-miŋ How to pronounce plumbing (audio)
Synonyms of plumbingnext
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

plumbing

2 of 2

present participle of plumb entry 3

Examples of plumbing in a Sentence

Noun The house has old plumbing.
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.
Noun
In industries like plumbing and construction, employees often carry company cards to buy fuel and supplies, while office staff sort through receipts to check that spending stays within bounds. — Camila Grigera Naón, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026 American Home Shield Plans ShieldSilver plan covers HVAC, electrical, plumbing systems, while the ShieldGold plan adds laundry appliances. — Dan Avery, CNBC, 21 Oct. 2026 Beyond the purchase cost of $80,000 to $120,000, buyers must pay setup costs that Blanchard estimates can reach $40,000 to $50,000 once electrical, plumbing and HVAC are included. — Daniel Wolfe, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 2026 Improvements to the mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems are also included in what the Cowboys are expected to pay for. — Matthew Ablon, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for plumbing

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Phrases Containing plumbing

Rhymes for plumbing

See All Rhymes for plumbing

Browse Nearby Words

plumb in
plumbing
plumbing fixture
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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Kids Definition

plumbing

noun
plumb·​ing ˈpləm-iŋ How to pronounce plumbing (audio)
1
: a plumber's work
2
: a system of pipes for supplying and carrying off water in a building

More from Merriam-Webster on plumbing

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for plumbing

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about plumbing

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