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
Roster status is conferred on NGOs that have a narrower or more technical focus and periodically contribute to the work of ECOSOC or its subsidiary bodies. Nana Ama Sarfo, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025 For information regarding subsidiary rights, please contact the Publisher. Rachel Raposas, People.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Noun
French rocket builder and ArianeGroup subsidiary MaiaSpace announced the completion of a monthslong test campaign that subjected several subscale prototypes of its propellant tanks to high-pressure burst tests, European Spaceflight reports. Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 5 Sep. 2025 Fat Brands, which has subsidiaries such as Fatburger, Johnny Rockets, Great American Cookies, Fazoli’s and Twin Peaks, bought Smokey Bones in 2023. Saleen Martin, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Subsidiary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subsidiary. Accessed 7 Sep. 2025.

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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