Definition

1. Noun:
   • The system of pipes, tanks, and fixtures installed in a building for the distribution of water and gas and for the disposal of sewage: This is the most common meaning, referring to the physical infrastructure for water supply and waste removal.
   • The work or occupation of installing and repairing such systems: This refers to the skilled trade performed by a plumber.
   • (Archaic) The act of measuring the depth of a body of water, especially the ocean: This older, specialized meaning relates to sounding depths.

Usage and Examples

• Referring to the physical system:

  • The old house needs new plumbing.
  • A leak in the plumbing caused water damage in the kitchen.

• Referring to the trade or work:

  • He learned plumbing from his father.
  • Good plumbing is essential for public health.

• Referring to depth measurement (archaic/technical):

  • The ship's plumbing of the channel revealed a shallow reef.

Advanced Usage and Notes

• "The plumbing" is often used as a collective singular noun for the entire pipe system in a building.
• In informal contexts, "the plumbing" can be a euphemism for a person's urinary or digestive system.
  • After the spicy food, my plumbing was out of order all night.

Variants and Related Words

• Plumber (n): A person who installs and repairs plumbing systems.
• Plumb (v): To test the alignment of a vertical surface; to measure the depth of water; to understand something profoundly.
• Plumb (adv): Exactly, vertically; completely.
• Plumb line (n): A cord with a weight used to find a vertical line.

Synonyms

• Piping: A system of pipes (often for a specific fluid like gas or oil).
• Pipework: The network of pipes in a system.
• Sanitation system: Emphasizes the waste disposal function.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• Plumb the depths (of something): To experience or examine the worst or most extreme aspects of something.
  • The film plumbs the depths of human despair.
• Plumb crazy (informal): Completely insane.
  • That idea is plumb crazy.

Noun

1. measuring the depths of the oceans
2. the occupation of a plumber (installing and repairing pipes and fixtures for water or gas or sewage in a building)
3. utility consisting of the pipes and fixtures for the distribution of water or gas in a building and for the disposal of sewage