tributary
noun
a stream that flows to a larger stream or other body of water.
tributaries
-
pluralof tributary.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.
The three principal rivers and their tributaries — the Los Angeles, the San Gabriel and Santa Ana — joined into an inland sea.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 17, 2026
Many of its tributaries originate in the surrounding hill states, while flood-control measures are largely planned within Assam.
From BBC ● Aug. 11, 2026
Producing rare earths requires heavy chemicals and can produce toxic waste, with cases including illegal operations polluting Mekong tributaries in Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia with arsenic and cadmium.
From Barron's ● Apr. 22, 2026
The Colorado River and its network of tributaries supply water to seven U.S. states and Mexico, supporting drinking water, farming, and hydropower.
From Science Daily ● Apr. 14, 2026
Strictly speaking, 'Amazon basin” refers to the drainage of the Amazon and its tributaries.
From "1491" by Charles C. Mann
