plunger

[ pluhn-jer ]

noun

1. Machinery. a pistonlike reciprocating part moving within the cylinder of a pump or hydraulic device.
2. Automotive. a pistonlike part in the valve of a pneumatic tire.
3. Also called force cup, a device consisting of a handle with a rubber suction cup at one end, used as a force pump to free clogged drains and toilet traps.
4. a person or thing that plunges.
5. a reckless bettor or speculator.

plunger

/ ˈplʌndʒə /

noun

1. a rubber suction cup fixed to the end of a rod, used to clear blocked drains
2. a device or part of a machine that has a plunging or thrusting motion; piston
3. informal.
   a reckless gambler

Word History and Origins

Origin of plunger¹

First recorded in 1605–15; plunge + -er ¹

Example Sentences

Housebound plungers deprived of access to movies, live sports and other forms of collective entertainment played at investing in meme stocks such as GameStop and dogecoins and other weird cryptocurrencies.

From Los Angeles Times

“We wanted to, you know, really roll with it,” said Zach D’Angelo, dressed as a giant roll of toilet paper with a red plunger as his hat.

From New York Times

As he pulled back on the plunger, insulin filled the syringe.

From Literature

Suck out the air by pulling the plunger.

From National Geographic Kids

There was a joke about a toilet plunger microphone that went by too fast.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bettor
• bookie
• bookmaker