plumbing

/ˈplʌmɪŋ/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: plumbings

Sense 1

Meaning · English

The pipes, together with the joints, tanks, stopcocks, taps, and other fixtures of a water, gas, or sewage system in a house or other building.

Noun

Examples

Water was dripping from the ceiling, so we figured there was a problem with the plumbing.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

The trade or occupation of a plumber.

Noun

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “plumbing” mean?

The pipes, together with the joints, tanks, stopcocks, taps, and other fixtures of a water, gas, or sewage system in a house or other building.

Is “plumbing” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.