Steamfitters

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A profession involving the installation and maintenance of piping systems for steam, water, and other fluids in various industrial settings
2. Skilled workers who specialize in assembling and repairing pipes and fittings used in steam heating and other fluid transport applications
3. Individuals engaged in the craft of fitting together and ensuring the proper functioning of steam and water distribution systems in buildings and plants

Etymology: "Steamfitters" is the plural of "steamfitter," a compound of "steam" and "fitter." The first part needs no explanation, and the second has a long pedigree: "fitter" comes from "fit," used in the sense of fitting or adjusting parts together, and an agent suffix turns it into the name of the person who does the job. A steamfitter, then, is literally someone who fits steam-related equipment together. The trade's name reflects its purpose. Steam heating and steam-driven machinery depend on sealed networks of pipes and joints, and the people who assemble and repair those networks are the steamfitters. The same logic extends to other fluid systems, which is why the term is sometimes applied to pipefitters working on water, gas, or other lines.

Synonyms: plumber, pipefitter