as in tributary
a stream that flows into a larger body of water
along with its influents, the Missouri and Ohio rivers, the Mississippi River drains all or part of 31 U.S. states and two Canadian provinces
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Recent Examples of influent
So far, the city has completed several major components of the Springbrook improvement project, including adding in an ultraviolet disinfection system that replaced the facility’s old chlorine disinfection system and adding new pumps at the influent pump station.
—
Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026
The project, which was listed as the third highest priority in the Facilities Plan, included installing new screenings and grit removal facilities, demolishing an existing influent pump station and installing a new pump station, and making other improvements, according to a staff report.
—Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Jan. 2025
The influent flow is slowed to allow human and food organic waste to settle on the bottom of the tank.
—The Seattle Times, 29 Apr. 2017
Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026
The project, which was listed as the third highest priority in the Facilities Plan, included installing new screenings and grit removal facilities, demolishing an existing influent pump station and installing a new pump station, and making other improvements, according to a staff report.
—Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Jan. 2025
The influent flow is slowed to allow human and food organic waste to settle on the bottom of the tank.
—The Seattle Times, 29 Apr. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for influent
tributary
Noun
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On the Columbia River and its tributaries, the party had to dig out five new canoes and then paddle them through treacherous rapids.—
Craig Fehrman,
Space.com,
6 Apr. 2026
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That matters because snowpack makes up the bulk of the state’s water supply; Colorado is heavily dependent on surface water in rivers and tributaries fed by melting snow in the soaring Rocky Mountains, in addition to backup supplies in reservoirs.—
Ella Nilsen,
CNN Money,
6 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Influent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/influent. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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