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plumbing

American  
[pluhm-ing] / ˈplʌm ɪŋ /

noun

  1. the system of pipes and other apparatus for conveying water, liquid wastes, etc., as in a building.

  2. the work or trade of a plumber. plumber.

  3. act of a person who plumbs, as in ascertaining depth.


plumbing British  
/ ˈplʌmɪŋ /

noun

  1. Also called: plumbery.  the trade or work of a plumber

  2. the pipes, fixtures, etc, used in a water, drainage, or gas installation

  3. the act or procedure of using a plumb to gauge depth, a vertical, etc

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of plumbing

First recorded in 1660–70; plumb + -ing 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

And China’s evolution from a destination to an exporter of capital is reshaping the financial plumbing of global markets.

From Barron's

“We spent the last 10 years teaching people how to code. We’re gonna spend the next 10 teaching how to use their hands, because AI is not going to fix your plumbing problem.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Also, ancillary permits such as for plumbing and electricity, which are counted on the L.A.

From Los Angeles Times

Before the fire, Gonzalez had a successful plumbing company with six employees, he said.

From Los Angeles Times

It was because the plumbing only worked in dollars.

From MarketWatch