distributary
noun
an outflowing branch of a stream or river, typically found in a delta (opposed to tributary).
distributaries
-
pluralof distributary.plural
The grammatical form denoting more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Had the river been left to its own devices, a super-wet spring like that of 2011 would have sent the Mississippi and its distributaries surging over their banks.
From The New Yorker β Mar. 25, 2019
Every 1,000 years or so, it abandoned its main channel for one of its distributaries.
From Economist β Aug. 24, 2017
During flood stages when rivers have lots of water available, it develops distributaries that are separated by sand bars and sand ridges.
From Textbooks β Jan. 1, 2017
The Mississippi River delta is a river-dominated delta, shaped by levees along the river and its distributaries that confine the flow forming a shape called a bird-foot delta.
From Textbooks β Jan. 1, 2017
The stream now known as the Hugli represents three western deltaic distributaries of the Ganges—viz.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 8 "Hudson River" to "Hurstmonceaux" by Various
