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

There was no plumbing backup, of course — there is no actual plumbing on the Orion spacecraft, as urine is vented out into space and fecal matter is collected for later disposal. —Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2026

Ztao Marketplace at 2049 Coit Road Suite 300, that scored 54 and 55, was temporarily closed after the market added an unpermitted serving line and did plumbing work without the approval of the city of Plano. —Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Mar. 2026

The plumbing for precision is in place. —Bowen Luo, Harvard Business Review, 31 Mar. 2026

Greystar, the nation’s largest multifamily apartment owner, earlier sued the builder and several subcontractors over a plumbing leak that led to millions in damages in one of the buildings at Urban East along Riverside Drive. —Paul Flahive, Austin American Statesman, 30 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