tributary
Americannoun
plural
tributaries-
a stream that flows to a larger stream or other body of water.
-
a person or nation that pays tribute in acknowledgment of subjugation or the like.
adjective
-
(of a stream) flowing into a larger stream or other body of water.
-
furnishing subsidiary aid; contributory.
-
paying or required to pay tribute.
-
paid as tribute.
-
subject; subordinate.
a tributary nation.
noun
-
a stream, river, or glacier that feeds another larger one
-
a person, nation, or people that pays tribute
adjective
-
(of a stream, etc) feeding a larger stream
-
given or owed as a tribute
-
paying tribute
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
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
The tributary of the Potomac River cutting across the land was called Tiber Creek after the river that flowed through the Eternal City.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 20, 2026
The 500-million-euro Achelous tributary project is to be completed by 2029.
From Barron's • Nov. 29, 2025
Members of the tribe say they are celebrating the return of their ancestral lands along Blue Creek, a major tributary that meets the Klamath about 40 miles south of the Oregon border.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 14, 2025
“Dunno. Maybe he’s the god of a little tributary, like Old Father Thames is the god of the main river, perhaps. That would make sense. George Boatwright said he’d seen Old Father Thames.”
From "The Book of Dust: La Belle Sauvage" by Philip Pullman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
