plunger

noun

plung·er ˈplən-jər

: one that plunges: such as

: diver

: a reckless gambler or speculator

c(1)

: a sliding reciprocating piece driven by or against fluid pressure

especially : piston

(2)

: a piece with a motion like that of a ram or piston

: a rubber suction cup on a handle used to free plumbing traps and waste outlets of obstructions

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Water enters the pressure washer via a garden hose (a) and moves through a pump, which consists of a series of two or three plungers (b) arranged in a line or a circle. —

Roy Berendsohn, Popular Mechanics, 21 Feb. 2023 Just think of the havoc that could be wreaked on a lab by a rogue robot carrying a toilet plunger. —

IEEE Spectrum, 11 Feb. 2021 Hold the device steady, firmly press the plunger with your thumb. —

Claire Bugos, Verywell Health, 31 Mar. 2023 Hold the device with your thumb on the plunger and two fingers on the nozzle. —

Dallas News, 21 Feb. 2023 After three or four pressure pumps, quickly yank the plunger off the sink drain. —

Joseph Truini, Popular Mechanics, 10 Aug. 2021 The Journey owner's manual says the doors can be unlocked manually by pulling up a plunger on the top of the door trim panel. —

CBS News, 5 May 2023 Laptop keyboards often use scissor switches, which link each keycap to a plunger that depresses the rubber dome, and don’t offer much travel (a.k.a. —

Stephen Slaybaugh, Popular Mechanics, 9 Feb. 2023 Attach it to the end of the filter from which the clean water exits and use the plunger to force water backward into the device. —

Alisha Mcdarris, Popular Science, 2 Jan. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'plunger.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.