subsidiary

1 of 2

adjective

sub·​sid·​i·​ary səb-ˈsi-dē-ˌer-ē How to pronounce subsidiary (audio)
-ˈsi-də-rē
1
a
: furnishing aid or support : auxiliary
subsidiary details
b
: of secondary importance
a subsidiary stream
2
: of, relating to, or constituting a subsidy
a subsidiary payment to an ally
subsidiarily adverb

subsidiary

2 of 2

noun

plural subsidiaries
: one that is subsidiary
especially : a company wholly controlled by another

Examples of subsidiary in a Sentence

Noun one of the company's foreign subsidiaries
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Effective immediately, Ma was succeeded by Echo Huang, an executive director of the company and CEO of subsidiary New World China Land since 2020, New World announced in a filing to the Hong Kong stock exchange on Friday. Zinnia Lee, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2024 Since Narasimhan’s arrival at the helm in 2018, the group has separated from its subsidiary Alcon, which specialises in ophthalmology, listing it separately, and from Sandoz, which specialises in generic medicines, in 2023, also through an IPO. Greg McKenna, Fortune Europe, 21 Nov. 2024
Noun
Hybe had accused Min of trying to take control of the subsidiary label and leaking confidential information to potential investors to fund a breakaway. Siladitya Ray, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2024 The Cabaret uses the brand’s iconic big date complication placed at the top of the dial, balanced by a running subsidiary seconds at the bottom of the dial. Blake Buettner, Robb Report, 29 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for subsidiary 

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin subsidiarius, from subsidium reserve troops

First Known Use

Adjective

1543, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1603, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of subsidiary was in 1543

Dictionary Entries Near subsidiary

Cite this Entry

“Subsidiary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subsidiary. Accessed 8 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

subsidiary

1 of 2 adjective
sub·​sid·​iary
səb-ˈsid-ē-ˌer-ē,
-ˈsid-ə-rē
: of secondary importance
subsidiary streams

subsidiary

2 of 2 noun
plural subsidiaries
: one that is subsidiary
especially : a company wholly controlled by another

Legal Definition

subsidiary

noun
sub·​sid·​i·​ary
səb-ˈsi-dē-ˌer-ē, -ˈsi-də-rē
plural subsidiaries
: a company having the majority of its stock owned by another company compare affiliate

Note: The parent company of a subsidiary generally has the same policy-making powers as any majority owner and can do such things as appoint directors and hire officers. The subsidiary is controlled by the parent through these powers, and the parent may be held liable for the acts of the subsidiary if the subsidiary is found to be an instrumentality of the parent.

subsidiary adjective
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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