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 company is building what Eliadis calls an AI operating system for home service businesses—the HVAC shops, plumbing outfits, and electrical contractors that collectively power a $700 billion industry. — Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 23 June 2026

Copper, also on the list, has traditional uses such as piping for plumbing, but is also needed in electronics and the automotive industry. — Paul Tilsley, FOXNews.com, 23 June 2026

These are simple to install and don’t require any modification to the plumbing behind the wall. — Jamie Gold, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026

Danny Pen is an experienced plumbing and HVAC expert and the President at New Era Plumbing & HVAC. — Timothy Dale, The Spruce, 22 June 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