sprinkler system

noun

: a system for protecting a building against fire by means of overhead pipes which convey an extinguishing fluid (such as water) to heat-activated outlets

Examples of sprinkler system in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Officials confirmed that the building, which records show was built in 1981, did not have a fire sprinkler system. — Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 6 Aug. 2026 Officials said the condo building did not have a sprinkler system, since it was built prior to an ordinance requiring sprinklers. — Tim Fang, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026 Setting up a sprinkler system and creating a schedule is a useful way to keep plants watered and healthy. — Melissa Epifano, The Spruce, 26 July 2026 Few of those concerns were in the air as the halftime performers retreated from the field, the tarp was rolled back, and the sprinkler system was activated to prepare the field for the final moments of the World Cup. — Dan Adler, Vanity Fair, 19 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for sprinkler system

Word History

First Known Use

1876, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sprinkler system was in 1876

Rhymes for sprinkler system

See All Rhymes for sprinkler system

Browse Nearby Words

sprinkler leakage insurance
sprinkler system
sprinkling
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sprinkler system.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sprinkler%20system. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on sprinkler system

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sprinkler system

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of vacuous

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Words of the Week - Aug. 14

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All