Tributary

/ˈtrɪb.jʊ.tər.i/

Meaning & Definition

noun

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

The Mississippi River has many tributaries, including the Missouri River.

A branch of a river.

We followed the tributary that led us to a beautiful hidden waterfall.

Something that contributes to a larger whole.

The small donations acted as tributaries to the larger fundraising campaign.

Middle English tributarie, from Latin tributarius meaning 'contributing, supplying'.

tributary river

A river that flows into a larger river.

tributary system

A network of smaller streams flowing into a larger body of water.

confluence

The point where two rivers meet.

delta

An area of land at the mouth of a river where it meets a larger body of water.

Typically refers to someone or something that contributes to a larger effort.

He's a tributary in the team effort, always supporting us.