tributary

American  

[trib-yuh-ter-ee] / ˈtrɪb jəˌtɛr i /

noun

• tributaries
  plural

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  

/ ˈtrɪbjʊtərɪ, -trɪ /

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

Derived Forms

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

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• tributaries
  plural

Etymology

Origin of tributary

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

Explanation

A tributary is a branch that flows into the main stream, like the White River, the Arkansas River, the Yazoo River ,and the Red River — each a tributary of the mighty Mississippi. The noun tributary is related to the word tribute and both come from the Latin word tributum, meaning “a thing contributed or paid.” Long ago, a tributary was someone who was forced to pay a person or group in return for protection — namely from those who received the tribute. Today, a tributary is a smaller body of water that flows into a larger one or a contributing factor in something that happens.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

tributary tributaries

“To allow such an important tributary to run dry as the salmon are returning is indefensible,” Chichizola said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026

That sparked a probe into what Turkish prosecutors have described as a professional money-laundering ring, a tributary to the vast shadow economy underpinning the global scam industry.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 10, 2026

Anglers fear "hundreds" of young salmon may have been killed in a pollution incident on a tributary of the Derg River in County Tyrone.

From BBC ● May 6, 2026

Two weeks ago the government announced the suspension of dredging in the Tapajos River, a key Amazon River tributary, after Indigenous-led protests.

From Barron's ● Feb. 21, 2026

After half an hour we turned up a tributary and made land on a muddy bank.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann

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

"Major rainfall flooding may prompt many evacuations and rescues," the NWS said, adding that rivers and tributaries "may rapidly overflow their banks in multiple places".

From BBC ● Aug. 15, 2026

Lakes are being drained to feed the Po and its tributaries, but at the current rate, the reserves will run out within weeks.

From Barron's ● Jul. 4, 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

Goblets lie on their side, mead pooling to run over the uneven floor like tributaries into great honey-wine lakes.

From "The Cruel Prince" by Holly Black