tributary

American  

[trib-yuh-ter-ee] / ˈtrɪb yəˌtɛr i /

noun

plural

tributaries

1. a stream that flows to a larger stream or other body of water.

2. a person or nation that pays tribute in acknowledgment of subjugation or the like.

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adjective

1. (of a stream) flowing into a larger stream or other body of water.

2. furnishing subsidiary aid; contributory.

3. paying or required to pay tribute.

4. paid as tribute.

5. subject; subordinate.

   a tributary nation.

tributary British  

/ -trɪ, ˈtrɪbjʊtərɪ /

noun

1. a stream, river, or glacier that feeds another larger one

2. a person, nation, or people that pays tribute

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adjective

1. (of a stream, etc) feeding a larger stream

2. given or owed as a tribute

3. paying tribute

tributary Scientific  

/ trĭb′yə-tĕr′ē /

1. A stream that flows into a river, a larger stream, or a lake.

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Other Word Forms

• nontributary adjective
• tributarily adverb
• untributarily adverb
• untributary adjective

Etymology

Origin of tributary

1325–75; Middle English (adj. and noun) < Latin tribūtārius of tribute, one who pays tribute. See tribute, -ary

Example Sentences

The plan includes diverting two tributaries of the River Achelous in western Greece, in addition to drilling and desalination projects.

From Barron's

An above-ground storage tank operated by Carbon California spilled the oil into a remote tributary of Sisar Creek near Ojai, contaminating about three-quarters of a mile of the waterway, according to state wildlife officials.

From Los Angeles Times

It lays out specific conditions that must be met for federal jurisdiction—for instance, tributaries must have a predictable and consistent flow to navigable waters.

From The Wall Street Journal

Veins of emerald-green light spread from the walls, like tributaries, into the center of the room.

From Literature

In August, Chinese mine officials, accompanied by Zambian government officials, went door-to-door in the village of Sabina, near a tributary of the Kafue River, residents recalled in interviews.

From The Wall Street Journal