tributary

1 of 2

noun

trib·​u·​tary ˈtri-byə-ˌter-ē 

plural tributaries

1

: a stream feeding a larger stream or a lake

2

: a ruler or state that pays tribute to a conqueror

tributary

2 of 2

adjective

1

: paying tribute to another to acknowledge submission, to obtain protection, or to purchase peace : subject

2

: paid or owed as tribute

tributary gifts

3

: channeling material or supplies into something more inclusive : contributory

Did you know?

A tributary was originally a person or state that owed tribute to a more powerful person or state. Ancient China, for instance, had dozens of tributary states, and the emperor would receive elephants from Siam or young girls from Korea as tribute. Just as a smaller power gave some of its wealth to a larger power, a small river contributes its waters to a larger one. A tributary can be a tiny stream, but some are immense rivers. The Missouri River, for example, could be called a tributary to the Mississippi, even though it's about 2,500 miles long and receives hundreds of tributaries itself.

Synonyms

Noun

• affluent
• bayou
• branch
• confluent
• feeder
• influent

Examples of tributary in a Sentence

Noun

one of the river's tributaries

This stream is a tributary of the Ohio River.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Botswana, Chobe River, ‘Zambezi Queen’ Winding through Africa’s wilderness is the Chobe River, this tributary of the Zambezi gives a different perspective of life on the plains. —Gemma Harris, Robb Report, 29 Apr. 2024

Sturgeon migrations take place during the spring, and historically, these fish would swim hundreds or even thousands of miles, traveling up tributaries of the Mississippi to reach their spawning grounds. —Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 24 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

tributary

1 of 2 adjective

trib·​u·​tary ˈtrib-yə-ˌter-ē 

1

: paying tribute to another : subject

2

: paid or owed as tribute

3

: contributing or adding to something larger or more important

especially : flowing into a larger stream or lake

tributary

2 of 2 noun

plural tributaries

1

: a ruler or state that pays tribute to a conqueror

2

: a stream flowing into a larger stream or a lake

Medical Definition

tributary

noun

trib·​u·​tary ˈtrib-yə-ˌter-ē 

plural tributaries

: a vein that empties into a larger vein