plunger
PLUN-jer
/ˈplʌn.dʒər/
A tool consisting of a flexible rubber suction cup attached to a wooden or plastic shaft, used to clear blockages in drains and pipes.
Plunger refers to the manual suction tool, but in engineering, it can also refer to a reciprocating piston in a pump or syringe.
The story behind the word. Plunger is derived from the verb 'plunge', which comes from the Old French 'plongier' (to dive or dip). This traces back to the Vulgar Latin '*plumbicare', from Latin 'plumbum' (lead), referring to a lead weighted line used by sailors to measure water depth by dropping it quickly.
Word relationships
- force cup: Force cup is an older, technical term for a standard sink plunger, rarely used in modern everyday English.
Commonly confused with
- snake: A plunger uses suction and pressure to clear shallow clogs, while a plumbing snake is a flexible cable fed deep into pipes to break up tough blockages.
Word family
- plunge (verb): to push or fall quickly into something
- plunging (adjective): falling or dropping rapidly
Collocations
- toilet plunger
- sink plunger
- grab the plunger
- plunger suction
Example sentences
- "When the toilet began to overflow, she quickly grabbed the plunger and cleared the blockage with a few strong thrusts." Household emergency
- "The high-pressure fuel pump utilizes a ceramic plunger to force fuel into the combustion chamber." Industrial machinery
Memory hook
Picture yourself 'plunging' a rubber cup down into a pipe to push the clog away. Plunge the plunger to clear the pipe.
When not to use
Do not use plunger to describe chemical drain cleaners or mechanical plumbing snakes.
Fun facts
- There are actually two distinct types of plungers: a flat-bottomed cup plunger for flat sinks and tubs, and a flange plunger with an extended rubber sleeve designed specifically for toilets.
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