tributary

noun
UK: /ˈtrɪbjətri/
US: /ˈtrɪbjəteri/

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

    1. A small tributary joins the main river.
    2. The Amazon River has many tributaries that feed into it from all sides.

  2. A person or country that pays tribute to another; subordinate.

    1. The small kingdom was a tributary to the larger empire.
    2. For many years, the region remained a tributary state, paying taxes to its overlords.

Synonyms

feeder affluent branch
tributary adjective

  1. Acting as a tributary; contributing to a larger whole.

    1. A tributary stream flowed into the lake.
    2. The tributary contributions from local businesses helped fund the new library.

  2. Required to pay tribute; subordinate.

    1. The tributary nation sent annual gifts to the emperor.
    2. As a tributary state, they were compelled to provide resources to the dominant power.

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "tributary" in English means: A stream or river that flows into a larger river., A person or country that pays tribute to another; subordinate..

The phonetic transcription of "tributary" is /ˈtrɪbjətri/ in British English and /ˈtrɪbjəteri/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "tributary": feeder, affluent, branch.

Example usage of "tributary": "A small tributary joins the main river.". More examples on the page.