plumber

American  

[pluhm-er] / ˈplʌm ər /

noun

1. a person who installs and repairs piping, fixtures, appliances, and appurtenances in connection with the water supply, drainage systems, etc., both in and out of buildings.

2. Slang. an undercover operative or spy hired to detect or stop leaks of news or secret information, often using questionable or illegal methods, as illegal entry or wiretapping.

3. Obsolete. a worker in lead or similar metals.

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plumber British  

/ ˈplʌmə /

noun

1. a person who installs and repairs pipes, fixtures, etc, for water, drainage, and gas

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Etymology

Origin of plumber

1375–1425; 1965–70 plumber for def. 2; late Middle English, spelling variant of Middle English plowber ≪ Late Latin plumbārius leadworker; replacing Middle English plummer < Anglo-French; Old French plummier < Latin, as above. See plumb, -er ²

Example Sentences

Others were engineers at the Jet Propulsion Lab and professors at Caltech and teachers and artists and plumbers and everyday commuters to downtown Los Angeles.

From Los Angeles Times

Skilled plumbers and electricians can take home good incomes soon after training, making vocational paths like trade schools and apprenticeships attractive alternatives to the conventional college route.

From The Wall Street Journal

Otherwise, have to hand the contact details of local plumbers or find one on the Watersafe website.

From BBC

“I have to call a regular plumber and people to help me around the house,” she said, “whereas I used to call him and it would get fixed.”

From Los Angeles Times

Since April, Chambliss has worked the night shift overseeing a team of 200 welders, plumbers and electricians at a local data-center construction site.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• agent
• detective
• informer
• investigator
• mole
• operative
• secret agent
• secret service
• undercover agent