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 depot just had $2,000 of plumbing work done at the end of February by Gene Wagner Plumbing Co. of West Allis.
—
Journal Sentinel, 4 Apr. 2024
Thames Valley Detective Inspector Jess Milne said at the time that the toilet was connected to the palace’s plumbing system, so the theft caused damage and flooding.
—Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 3 Apr. 2024
As noted by the scholars Henry Farrell and Abraham Newman in their recent book Underground Empire, the United States sits at the center of a vast informational plumbing system, built almost haphazardly over decades, that allows the global economy to function.
—Jami Miscik, Foreign Affairs, 11 Mar. 2024
An extensive yearlong renovation upgrading the building’s plumbing, mechanical and electrical features ran them approximately $500,000.
—Jose R. Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 3 Mar. 2024
Plus, designers have to assume that existing HVAC, electrical, and plumbing systems will have to be replaced—especially if the building is older.
—Sydney Lake, Fortune, 28 Feb. 2024
The framing and flooring were contracted out, but the father-and-son team did everything from the plumbing and electrical to the cabinetry installation.
—Lennie Omalza, The Courier-Journal, 28 Mar. 2024
The unsexy work of building the plumbing that undergirds this world will take significant resources, time and creativity.
—Lindsey Witmer Collins, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
Health inspectors recently closed a Carl’s Jr fast food restaurant due to a plumbing issue last week.
—Jacqueline Pinedo, Sacramento Bee, 22 Mar. 2024
Journal Sentinel, 4 Apr. 2024
Thames Valley Detective Inspector Jess Milne said at the time that the toilet was connected to the palace’s plumbing system, so the theft caused damage and flooding.
—Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 3 Apr. 2024
As noted by the scholars Henry Farrell and Abraham Newman in their recent book Underground Empire, the United States sits at the center of a vast informational plumbing system, built almost haphazardly over decades, that allows the global economy to function.
—Jami Miscik, Foreign Affairs, 11 Mar. 2024
An extensive yearlong renovation upgrading the building’s plumbing, mechanical and electrical features ran them approximately $500,000.
—Jose R. Gonzalez, The Arizona Republic, 3 Mar. 2024
Plus, designers have to assume that existing HVAC, electrical, and plumbing systems will have to be replaced—especially if the building is older.
—Sydney Lake, Fortune, 28 Feb. 2024
The framing and flooring were contracted out, but the father-and-son team did everything from the plumbing and electrical to the cabinetry installation.
—Lennie Omalza, The Courier-Journal, 28 Mar. 2024
The unsexy work of building the plumbing that undergirds this world will take significant resources, time and creativity.
—Lindsey Witmer Collins, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2024
Health inspectors recently closed a Carl’s Jr fast food restaurant due to a plumbing issue last week.
—Jacqueline Pinedo, Sacramento Bee, 22 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'plumbing.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near plumbing
Cite this Entry
“Plumbing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plumbing. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share