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

Other budget highlights The budget proposal includes about $33 million from the county for capital improvements to address renovations, plumbing, roofing and HVAC concerns. —Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 25 Mar. 2026

Another homeowner had to hire a private plumbing company to suck the sewage out last week. —Dave Savini, CBS News, 25 Mar. 2026

Home warranty plans and add-on options Choose from basic plans that cover essential home systems like HVAC, plumbing, and electrical, or level up for more coverage including appliances like refrigerators, ovens, and laundry units. —Brittany Nims, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026

While the senator comes to the position after more than a dozen years in Congress, and with the management experience of running an expanding family plumbing business in Oklahoma, he has not been seen as a key force in immigration issues. —Rebecca Santana, Chicago Tribune, 24 Mar. 2026

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