plumber

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noun plumb·er \ ˈplə-mər \

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

Just 20 months ago, a former plumber from Dublin fought a fearsome superstar who hadn’t lost in a decade.

— greg beacham, The Seattle Times, "McGregor must get rough and creative to upset Mayweather," 24 Aug. 2017
A certain mushroom-gobbling plumber would argue otherwise.

— sam machkovech, Ars Technica, "Republicans try comparing tax code to Legend of Zelda, mix up their facts," 24 Aug. 2017
A carpet layer in San Diego earns $47 an hour, while a plumber earns $76 an hour.

— angela hart, sacbee, "How California’s housing crisis happened," 21 Aug. 2017
Originally, Cretton wanted to be a trashman or a plumber.

— valentina valentini, vanityfair.com, "Director Destin Daniel Cretton Has Always Lived in The Glass Castle," 8 Aug. 2017
Originally, Cretton wanted to be a trashman or a plumber.

— valentina valentini, HWD, "Director Destin Daniel Cretton Has Always Lived in The Glass Castle," 8 Aug. 2017
Plus a structural steel guy, a plumber, a roofer, a plastering guy to do the stucco, and a woodworker who built the deck and the shower bench out of ipe, a durable type of Brazilian wood.

— margaret rhodes, Daily Intelligencer, "How to Create an Outdoor Shower in the Middle of the City," 27 July 2017
In addtion, another individual, Thomas J. Durkin, the general foreman of plumbers, was also cited in the report as jumping in on the anti-black emails while also throwing in some anti-Muslim references.

— breanna edwards, The Root, "Chicago Official Sent Racist Emails About ‘Safari’ Package to See ‘Lots of Animals in Their Natural Habitat’ in Black Neighborhoods: Report," 19 July 2017
Bills can be adjusted in the case of underground leaks or malfunctioning toilets, for example, if the customers provide proof that a licensed plumber has repaired the problem.

— yvonne wenger, baltimoresun.com, "Clarke wants change in resolving Baltimore water bill disputes," 14 July 2017

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

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First Known Use: 15th century

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PLUMBER Defined for English Language Learners

plumber

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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

play

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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Definition of plumber

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plumber

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