plumbing

Definition of plumbingnext
present participle of plumb
as in scaling
to measure the depth of (as a body of water) typically with a weighted line plumbed the bay to make sure it was deep enough for the ship

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of plumbing The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope will soon join the ranks of iconic observatories like the Hubble and James Webb telescopes – plumbing the far reaches of the cosmos to answer some of life's greatest mysteries. Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026 Getty Images At first sight, the mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineering work involved in construction doesn’t seem a prime target for disruption from artificial intelligence. David Prosser, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026 But even as Moon landings, space shuttles, and reusable rockets seized the headlines, Link, along with a stubborn handful of engineers, explorers, and flat-out dreamers, kept plumbing the ocean instead. Bill Gourgey, Popular Science, 2 July 2026 Online influencers can invent careers by plumbing the court docket in a celebrity lawsuit (see the Blake Lively–Justin Baldoni case). Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 20 June 2026 Entertainment giants are truly grasping for any hint of intellectual property this days — including by plumbing the depths of random playground games. Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 18 June 2026 The projects have ranged from custom built-ins to plumbing work and even an entire basement apartment. Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026 Regular drain maintenance and prompt attention to small problems can go a long way toward keeping your bathroom plumbing running smoothly. Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 6 June 2026 The two-car garage, upgraded with electrical and plumbing infrastructure for an additional washer and dryer, has a 16-foot ceiling that provides ample height for vehicle lifts to double its capacity. Sandra Barrera, Oc Register, 13 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plumbing
Verb
  • Gladys Knight is scaling back her live performance schedule as recent concerts have prompted concern among some fans and people working on her tour about whether the Motown legend should remain on the road.
    Sameen Chaudhry, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Former Ferrari president and chairman Luca di Montezemolo joined analysts and investors in mocking the model as ugly and decidedly un-Ferrari-like at a time where other luxury automakers were scaling back their own EV efforts amid low demand.
    Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 28 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Seven Korean startups were chosen through an open call run with the Busan Center for Creative Economy & Innovation and AWS, together spanning the full content pipeline.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Born April 19, 1946, Curry amassed hundreds of credits across film, television and theater throughout a career spanning more than five decades.
    Nicole Acevedo, NBC news, 26 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Plumbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plumbing. Accessed 29 Aug. 2026.

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