plumbing

1 of 2

noun

plumb·​ing ˈplə-miŋ How to pronounce plumbing (audio)
Synonyms of plumbingnext
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

plumbing

2 of 2

present participle of plumb entry 3

Examples of plumbing in a Sentence

Noun The house has old plumbing.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Noun
New insulation, electrical wiring and panels, interior plumbing lines and ductwork are hidden behind plaster and millwork that feel right for the era. — David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 29 Aug. 2026 The average home warranty covers your HVAC, electrical and plumbing systems, along with kitchen appliances. — Alora Bopray, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026 Classicist and Roman plumbing expert Ann Olga Koloski-Ostrow suggests that private toilets might have been cut off from the municipal sewers to prevent animals crawling up the pipes and into homes. — Andrew Coletti, Popular Science, 27 Aug. 2026 Her arc mirrored that of my Mexican immigrant parents, who were also mountain people who grew up in big farming families with no plumbing or electricity, snuggling with siblings during winter nights in unheated bedrooms. — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for plumbing

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of plumbing was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing plumbing

Rhymes for plumbing

See All Rhymes for plumbing

Browse Nearby Words

plumb in
plumbing
plumbing fixture
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Plumbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plumbing. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

plumbing

noun
plumb·​ing ˈpləm-iŋ How to pronounce plumbing (audio)
1
: a plumber's work
2
: a system of pipes for supplying and carrying off water in a building

More from Merriam-Webster on plumbing

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for plumbing

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about plumbing

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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