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 car owner said it was used to transport tools and equipment for his family's plumbing business. — Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 13 July 2026

The foursome began a two-year, multi-million-dollar journey that preserved the building’s original craftsmanship while modernizing the design, plumbing, and electrical. — Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026

The guest rooms felt dated, the vintage plumbing was temperamental, and the noisy window air-conditioning units distracted from the historic charm. — Jill Robbins, Southern Living, 11 July 2026

The two worked on weekends for over half a year installing electrical, plumbing, a bathroom, air conditioning, TVs and a rooftop deck. — Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Kansas City Star, 10 July 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