tributary

[ trib-yuh-ter-ee ]
/ ˈtrɪb yəˌtɛr i /

noun, plural trib·u·tar·ies.

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

Origin of tributary

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

OTHER WORDS FROM tributary

trib·u·tar·i·ly, adverb non·trib·u·tar·y, adjective un·trib·u·tar·i·ly, adverb un·trib·u·tar·y, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for tributary

British Dictionary definitions for tributary

tributary
/ (ˈtrɪbjʊtərɪ, -trɪ) /

noun plural -taries

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

Derived forms of tributary

tributarily, adverb

Scientific definitions for tributary

tributary
[ trĭbyə-tĕr′ē ]

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