PLUMBING

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does plumbing mean? 

• PLUMBING (noun)
  The noun PLUMBING has 3 senses:

1. utility consisting of the pipes and fixtures for the distribution of water or gas in a building and for the disposal of sewage

2. the occupation of a plumber (installing and repairing pipes and fixtures for water or gas or sewage in a building)

3. measuring the depths of the oceans

  Familiarity information: PLUMBING used as a noun is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• PLUMBING (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Utility consisting of the pipes and fixtures for the distribution of water or gas in a building and for the disposal of sewage

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

plumbing; plumbing system

Hypernyms ("plumbing" is a kind of...):

utility (a facility composed of one or more pieces of equipment connected to or part of a structure and designed to provide a service such as heat or electricity or water or sewage disposal)

Meronyms (parts of "plumbing"):

plumbing fixture (a fixture for the distribution and use of water in a building)

Sense 2

Meaning:

The occupation of a plumber (installing and repairing pipes and fixtures for water or gas or sewage in a building)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

plumbery; plumbing

Hypernyms ("plumbing" is a kind of...):

craft; trade (the skilled practice of a practical occupation)

Holonyms ("plumbing" is a part of...):

building; construction (the commercial activity involved in repairing old structures or constructing new ones)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Measuring the depths of the oceans

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

bathymetry; plumbing

Hypernyms ("plumbing" is a kind of...):

measure; measurement; measuring; mensuration (the act or process of assigning numbers to phenomena according to a rule)

Derivation:

plumb (measure the depth of something)

 Context examples 

Do you need to pull out the plumbing to redo things or tear down a wall or put one up?

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

The team believes these new models help us gain a better understanding of Yellowstone's plumbing system, and may lead to improved estimates of the potential future seismic and volcanic hazards.

(Yellowstone magma discovery, NSF)

It dealt with man and his soul-gropings in their ultimate terms, plumbing the abysses of space for the testimony of remotest suns and rainbow spectrums.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

Instead of the classical model of a volcano with a large magma chamber beneath, the researchers say that instead, it’s more like a volcanic ‘plumbing system’ extending through the crust with lots of small ‘spouts’ where magma can be quickly transferred to the surface.

(‘Crystal clocks’ used to time magma storage before volcanic eruptions, University of Cambridge)

First he took out a soldering iron and some plumbing solder, and then a small oil-lamp, which gave out, when lit in a corner of the tomb, gas which burned at fierce heat with a blue flame; then his operating knives, which he placed to hand; and last a round wooden stake, some two and a half or three inches thick and about three feet long.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

Yellowstone's plumbing system is no larger or closer to erupting than before, scientists are just seeing more of it than ever before.

(Yellowstone magma discovery, NSF)

Along with good-fortune Jupiter, you have Saturn (ruling the structure of a home), Pluto (ruling plumbing and the basement), and Mercury (ruling deeds, contracts, leases, and agreements) all in your home and family sector.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)