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

The center, boasting the community college’s name in purple letters on its exterior, will offer short-term programs tied to Lockhart’s workforce needs, such as HVAC, automotive, plumbing, construction and welding. —Lily Kepner, Austin American Statesman, 5 Feb. 2026

Both indoor and outdoor plumbing can freeze during really frigid weather. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 4 Feb. 2026

In the campaign leading up to launch, engineers ran into a variety of problems ranging from fuel leaks to unexpected propellant flow behavior in the launch pad's plumbing. —William Harwood, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026

With temperatures this cold, damage to plumbing is possible. —Anthony Franze, San Antonio Express-News, 31 Jan. 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