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 academy teaches students about specific careers in the construction industry including electrial, plumbing and masonry. —Peyton Robinson, Freep.com, 3 Sep. 2025

The air conditioning system and the plumbing were repaired. —Sacbee.com, 30 Aug. 2025

Electrical, plumbing, HVAC, structural and interior/exterior repairs needed because of flood damage are among the types of work that would be eligible for the waiver. —Bridget Fogarty, jsonline.com, 29 Aug. 2025

Health officials have noted that the outbreak is not related to any building's hot or cold water supply and that the plumbing system was separate from the cooling tower system. —Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2025

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