# plumbing

/ˈpɫəmɪŋ/ (US) · /plˈʌmɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/plumbing
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. pipes and fixtures

noun · CEFR B1

the system of pipes, tanks, and taps that brings water into a building and takes waste away.

For teachers: the collective system of pipes, joints, and fixtures used for the distribution of potable water and the removal of waterborne wastes.

- The plumbing in this old house is very noisy whenever someone takes a shower.
- The contractor discovered that the building's original lead plumbing had never been replaced, necessitating a complete overhaul of the water system.

Usage: uncountable when referring to the system as a whole.

### 2. the trade

noun · CEFR B2

the job or business of installing and fixing pipes.

For teachers: the professional trade or occupation of a plumber.

- He decided to go to college to study plumbing and start his own business.
- After completing a four-year apprenticeship in plumbing, she became a licensed contractor specialising in industrial installations.

Usage: uncountable in this sense.

### 3. the human body

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal · Humorous

a funny way to talk about the tubes and organs inside your body, especially those for waste.

For teachers: an informal or euphemistic reference to the internal vessels or ducts of the human body, particularly the genitourinary system.

- The doctor said there is nothing wrong with my plumbing, so I just need to drink more water.
- He joked that at his age, he spent more time worrying about his internal plumbing than the pipes in his basement.

Teaching tip: This is often used when someone is talking about health issues or surgery in a lighthearted way to avoid being too clinical.

### 4. supporting work

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal

the basic, practical work that supports a larger project or system.

For teachers: the underlying practical or technical infrastructure that supports a more visible or complex operation.

- The team spent weeks on the technical plumbing of the app before they even designed the screen.
- The success of the merger depended less on the public announcement and more on the administrative plumbing handled by the legal teams.

Usage: figurative use.

## Examples

- The old house needs new plumbing because the pipes are leaking.
- We had to call an emergency repair service when the plumbing in the upstairs bathroom failed during the party.
- Modern urban infrastructure relies on sophisticated plumbing to ensure that potable water reaches high-rise apartments while effectively managing the disposal of greywater and sewage.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.