plumbing
plumbing — noun
1. the network of pipes, drains, and fittings that brings water into a building and
the network of pipes, drains, and fittings that brings water into a building and carries waste water away
The plumbing in our old apartment froze during the winter storm.
the plumbing in + building
Brown water came from the tap because the plumbing was rusty.
the plumbing was + adjective
After the flood, workers checked the school plumbing for broken pipes.
The hotel shut six rooms when its plumbing stopped working.
Good plumbing keeps clean water moving through the house every day.
good plumbing keeps + noun + -ing
- indoor plumbing
- old plumbing
- faulty plumbing
- plumbing system
- pipework
focuses on the pipes themselves, often in technical or building contexts
- water system
broader and less exact; it can include more than pipes
- drainage
only refers to carrying waste water away, not the full system
Grammar Patterns
the plumbing in + building
fix the plumbing
indoor plumbing
Usage Note
Usually refers to the whole pipe system in a building, not one pipe or one tap. Distinguish from sense 2, which names the trade or kind of work.
Common Mistakes
2. the job of putting in and repairing the pipes and connected parts that move wate
the job of putting in and repairing the pipes and connected parts that move water through a building
Nina studied plumbing at college before joining her uncle's business.
study plumbing
The school hired two men for plumbing after the kitchen leak.
for plumbing
Plumbing takes patience when you must fit pipes inside narrow walls.
plumbing takes + noun
After ten years in plumbing, Omar opened his own repair shop.
in plumbing
Lena chose plumbing because the job pays well and stays needed.
- study plumbing
- do plumbing
- plumbing work
- go into plumbing
- pipefitting
more technical and often narrower than the full trade of plumbing
- installation work
broader; it can refer to many kinds of building work
- repair work
only covers fixing problems, not putting new systems in
Grammar Patterns
do plumbing
study plumbing
work in plumbing
Usage Note
Often follows verbs such as do, learn, and study, or appears after in when you talk about someone's trade. Distinguish from sense 1, which refers to the pipes and fixtures themselves.