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

Not preparing your home's pipes and plumbing can be a recipe for disaster during freezing temperatures. —Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 22 Jan. 2026

Rather than sealing plumbing walls without access, King recommends installing access panels behind tubs, showers, and shut-off valves. —Kamron Sanders, The Spruce, 22 Jan. 2026

Scientific publishing has always had its plumbing problems. —Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 22 Jan. 2026

Others are focusing on staying warm indoors with plumbing and HVAC companies seeing an increase in service calls. —Aaron Parseghian, CBS News, 22 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