plumber

noun plumb·er \ ˈplə-mər \

Updated on: 18 May 2018

Definition of plumber

1 : a dealer or worker in lead

2 : one who installs, repairs, and maintains piping, fittings, and fixtures involved in the distribution and use of water in a building

3 : a person whose job is to prevent or put an end to leaks of sensitive information

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Recent Examples of plumber from the Web

He is being tried alongside Paul Weadick, a 42-year-old plumber from Burlington who was close friends with Salemme’s late son.

— shelley murphy, BostonGlobe.com, "FBI agent describes grisly task of unearthing mob slaying victim in R.I.," 14 May 2018
That would include lawyers with private practices, solo contractors like plumbers or software engineers, and artists (and leaves out groups like Uber drivers, who did not fit into any of the three occupation categories).

— rob wile, miamiherald, "More people now work for themselves in Miami than anywhere else, study says | Miami Herald," 10 May 2018
Instead, Pence and other speakers focused on what happened next — when a soft-spoken neighbor to the church and plumber named Stephen Willeford grabbed his AR-15 and confronted Kelley.

— jeremy wallace, San Antonio Express-News, "Sutherland Springs tragedy energizes NRA, gun-rights supporter," 5 May 2018
Pro-tip: Consider having a plumber perform a camera inspection of the main sewer, a move that can save you a substantial amount of money.

— Southern Living, "WATCH: Chip Gaines Wishes Everyone Would Ask These Three Questions Before Buying a Home," 2 May 2018
The court offered examples: A plumber temporarily hired by a store to repair a leak or an electrician to install a line would be an independent contractor.

— andrew khouri, latimes.com, "California's top court makes it more difficult for employers to classify workers as independent contractors," 1 May 2018
Generally, if a cross-connection is outside the home, the city will contract with a plumber and pick up the cost.

— frank kummer, Philly.com, "At some Philly homes, toilets get flushed into the city's drinking water source. The underground detectives are on the case," 21 Mar. 2018
Soon after takeoff,a crew member on the flight from Oslo, Norway, noticed a problem with the toilets on a plane flush with plumbers.

— the washington post, NOLA.com, "Plane carrying dozens of plumbers forced to turn back because of toilet problems," 31 Jan. 2018
Soon after takeoff,a crew member on the flight from Oslo, Norway, noticed a problem with the toilets on a plane flush with plumbers.

— alex horton, ajc, "Plane carrying dozens of plumbers forced to turn back because of toilet problems," 31 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'plumber.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of plumber

Middle English, from Anglo-French plummer, plomner, from Latin plumbarius, from plumbum

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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PLUMBER Defined for English Language Learners

plumber

noun

Definition of plumber for English Language Learners

: a person whose job is to install or repair sinks, toilets, water pipes, etc.

PLUMBER Defined for Kids

plumber

noun plumb·er \ ˈplə-mər \

Definition of plumber for Students

: a person who installs or repairs plumbing

History for plumber

The word plumber originally meant “person who works with lead.” It comes from a Latin word plumbarius with the same meaning, which is derived from plumbum, “lead.” In the past water pipes in buildings were often made of lead. The plumbers who put in these pipes and took care of them were workers in lead.

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See words that rhyme with plumber Spanish Central: Translation of plumber Nglish: Translation of plumber for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of plumber for Arabic speakers

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