plumbing

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

Examples of plumbing in a Sentence

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.
In Sunday’s video, Bovino implied Mullin was not cut out for the job, mocking his family’s plumbing business. Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 1 June 2026 Data plumbing—stitching together systems and rebuilding context across them—can consume significant engineering effort that drives up data infrastructure, integration and operational costs. Shekhar Iyer, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026 The project budget includes costs for architectural drawings, installation of a walk-in refrigeration unit, new HVAC and fire alarm systems and individual estimates for the carpentry, plumbing, electrical, flooring and concrete work, Leighty said. Linda Girardi, Chicago Tribune, 1 June 2026 During the second inspection, an inspector documented food debris, grease, broken plumbing and a broken refrigerator, and more. Eva Flowe june 1, Charlotte Observer, 1 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for plumbing

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Plumbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plumbing. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.

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
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