sprinkler system

American  

noun

1. apparatus for automatically extinguishing fires in a building, consisting of a system of water pipes in or below the ceilings, with valves or sprinklers usually made to open automatically at a certain temperature.

---

sprinkler system British  

noun

1. a fire-extinguishing system that releases water from overhead pipes through nozzles (sprinklers) opened automatically by a rise in temperature

---

Etymology

Origin of sprinkler system

First recorded in 1880–85

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

sprinkler system

It started appearing in my parents’ pantry in Costco two-packs, usually beside gigantic cases of bottled water, enough paper towels to absorb a malfunctioning sprinkler system and gallon-sized jugs of olive oil.

From Salon ● Sep. 20, 2026

Sarah Godwin has invested £15,000 in a ventilation and sprinkler system at her farm near Chippenham, Wiltshire, to help her animals cope with the "nearly continuous heatwave we are living through".

From BBC ● Jul. 29, 2026

Instead, the sprinkler system activates and floods the entire house, turning a contained problem into widespread damage.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 20, 2026

An internal sprinkler system supplemented by unmanned ground sprinklers helped stabilize temperatures around 90 degrees, division chief and hazardous materials program manager Nick Freeman said.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 23, 2026

Good thing the sprinkler system worked or Mr. Hoo might have had a good fire.

From "The Westing Game" by Ellen Raskin

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---

Related Words

• sprinkler

---