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

At the time, McGregor had recently quit his plumbing apprenticeship and decided to pursue his MMA career. —Jacklyn Krol, PEOPLE, 12 Dec. 2025

Depending on your bathroom setup, installing one may require power tools and additional plumbing work to reach the hot-water line. —Cody Godwin, USA Today, 12 Dec. 2025

For instance, among its 250,000 store associates, each has an agent companion with extensive product knowledge across its 100,000 square foot stores that sell anything from electrical equipment, to paints, to plumbing supplies. —Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 11 Dec. 2025

The solution is likely plumbing, not tariffs. —Newsweek Editors, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2025

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