Plumber
/ˈplʌm.bər/noun
A person who installs and repairs pipes, fixtures, and drainage systems.
Did you know?The word ultimately comes from Latin *plumbum* (“lead”), because Roman water systems used lead pipes so extensively that the trade became named for the metal itself.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*pleh₃- / *plou-
“A root associated with flow, fullness, or leading to Latin *plumbum* through ancient metal terminology (reconstructed with some uncertainty).”
Latin
Latin
plumbum
“Lead, the heavy soft metal used for pipes and weights.”
Late Latin
Latin
plumbarius
“A worker dealing with lead; a lead-worker or plumber.”
Old French
Old French
plombier
“A worker in lead, especially one who made or repaired lead pipes.”
Middle English
English
plomber
“A worker in lead or a maker of lead pipes.”
Modern English
English
plumber
“A tradesperson who installs and repairs pipes and plumbing fixtures.”