plumber

[ pluhm-er ]

noun

1. a person who installs and repairs piping, fixtures, appliances, and appurtenances in connection with the water supply, drainage systems, etc., both in and out of buildings.
2. Slang. an undercover operative or spy hired to detect or stop leaks of news or secret information, often using questionable or illegal methods, as illegal entry or wiretapping.
3. Obsolete. a worker in lead or similar metals.

plumber

/ ˈplʌmə /

noun

1. a person who installs and repairs pipes, fixtures, etc, for water, drainage, and gas

Word History and Origins

Origin of plumber¹

1375–1425; 1965–70 plumber fordef 2; late Middle English, spelling variant of Middle English plowber ≪ Late Latin plumbārius leadworker; replacing Middle English plummer < Anglo-French; Old French plummier < Latin, as above. See plumb, -er ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of plumber¹

C14: from Old French plommier worker in lead, from Late Latin plumbārius, from Latin plumbum lead

Example Sentences

We got the kid all the way to high school, my employer valued me and I knew a good plumber.

From Los Angeles Times

A plumber for 14 years, Ms Hodges is also a lecturer in plumbing, gas and renewables at the College of West Anglia, based in Norfolk and Cambridgeshire.

From BBC

A plumber may be necessary to install it, and it requires space under the sink.

From Salon

Or as someone told me: I was a licensed plumber, but now I can only work at Burger King.

From Slate

So I was talking to tons and tons of folks who couldn’t get licensed as a roofer, couldn’t get licensed as a plumber, or a hairdresser, or as a lawyer, because of this system.

From Slate

Related Words

• agent
• detective
• informer
• investigator
• mole
• operative
• secret agent
• secret service
• undercover agent