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 health department also said that the bar had active sewage backup in the basement and improper plumbing installed, saying that the facility lacks a grease interceptor to keep oil and grease from getting into the sewer system. —Mike Darnay, CBS News, 5 Mar. 2026

Advertisement Before entering politics, Mullin ran a plumbing business and was a mixed martial arts fighter with a professional record of 5-0. —Nik Popli, Time, 5 Mar. 2026

Mullin is a former professional MMA fighter and owns a plumbing business, a ranch near Westville and several other properties in Oklahoma. —Dale Denwalt, Oklahoman, 5 Mar. 2026

The Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority is asking the city to upgrade the venues’ decades-old HVAC systems and commission a study looking at future plumbing, electrical and parking needs. —Charlotte Observer, 5 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