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

I had to call a plumber to come and take everything apart to retrieve it.

From Washington Post

You got those four things—don’t matter President, plumber, architect, singer—you got those four things, no one will click off.

From Time

From there, they visit the plumber’s Facebook page and watch a few videos.

From Search Engine Land

For example, if the potential customer clicks on a local listing for a plumber, Google prompts the customer to confirm the service area and the type of service they’re looking for.

From Search Engine Land

I love talking to plumbers, to ranchers, to electrical workers.

From Ozy

The NRA and Joe the Plumber view dead Americans as an acceptable loss so that they can have easy access to guns.

From The Daily Beast

Then there was the statement I saw this week from “Joe the Plumber.”

From The Daily Beast

The same people who denounce expert opinion about movies or music will praise a skilled plumber or car mechanic.

From The Daily Beast

Anyone who has ever tried to get a plumber in Paris at that time of the year will know what I mean.

From The Daily Beast

When a leak springs in her bathroom and she has to pay a kingly sum to the plumber, she Googles “how to get cash quick.”

From The Daily Beast

I used to think meanly of the plumber; but how he shines beside the politician!

From Project Gutenberg

After much dickering and argument, the plumber consented to leave the old copper pump at the sink, in addition to the faucets.

From Project Gutenberg

The other chambers, having fireplaces, I decided needed no further heat, though the plumber was mournfully skeptical.

From Project Gutenberg

The man took him to a small but rather neat shop, plumber's, glazier's and painter's.

From Project Gutenberg

When the water pipes connecting a range boiler become frozen, get a plumber and avoid an explosion of the water back.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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