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

Tips for staying safe during thunderstorms Once in a shelter, stay away from windows and avoid electrical equipment and plumbing. —Drake Bentley, jsonline.com, 23 Sep. 2025

The historic building had some precarious plumbing in need of a major overhaul and also required some electrical upgrades. —Karen Billing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Sep. 2025

That would include applying protective stone along vulnerable shorelines, retrofitting plumbing and electrical throughout the town and raising the system of one-lane roads for transportation. —Julie Depenbrock, NPR, 22 Sep. 2025

Tips for staying safe during thunderstorms Once in a shelter, stay away from windows and avoid electrical equipment and plumbing. —Brandi D. Addison, AZCentral.com, 22 Sep. 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