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 500-million-euro Achelous tributary project is to be completed by 2029.

From Barron's • Nov. 29, 2025

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 • Oct. 28, 2025

The Yamuna river, a major tributary of the Ganges, continues to suffer from severe pollution despite repeated clean-up pledges.

From Barron's • Oct. 27, 2025

The River Lugg is a major tributary of the Wye, flowing predominately through Herefordshire.

From BBC • Oct. 7, 2025

The boats headed downstream, and we were let off near a tributary.

From "A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier" by Ishmael Beah