plunger

American  

[pluhn-jer] / ˈplʌn dʒər /

noun

1. Machinery. a pistonlike reciprocating part moving within the cylinder of a pump or hydraulic device.

2. Automotive. a pistonlike part in the valve of a pneumatic tire.

3. Also called plumber's helper.  Also called plumber's friend,.  Also called force cup.  a device consisting of a handle with a rubber suction cup at one end, used as a force pump to free clogged drains and toilet traps.

4. a person or thing that plunges.

5. a reckless bettor or speculator.

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plunger British  

/ ˈplʌndʒə /

noun

1. a rubber suction cup fixed to the end of a rod, used to clear blocked drains

2. a device or part of a machine that has a plunging or thrusting motion; piston

3. informal a reckless gambler

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Etymology

Origin of plunger

First recorded in 1605–15; plunge + -er ¹

Example Sentences

The other women on the beach are dedicated cold plungers; their WhatsApp group contains the words “polar” and “sunrise.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Housebound plungers deprived of access to movies, live sports and other forms of collective entertainment played at investing in meme stocks such as GameStop and dogecoins and other weird cryptocurrencies.

From Los Angeles Times

“We wanted to, you know, really roll with it,” said Zach D’Angelo, dressed as a giant roll of toilet paper with a red plunger as his hat.

From New York Times

Dr. Spires pushed the plunger with his thumb and withdrew the needle.

From Literature

Suck out the air by pulling the plunger.

From National Geographic Kids

Related Words

• bettor
• bookie
• bookmaker