C1nounnaturescience
US/ˈtrɪb.jə.ter.i/
UK/ˈtrɪb.jə.tər.i/
a smaller river or stream that flows into a larger river or lake
In context
The Ohio River is one of the major tributaries of the Mississippi.
Heavy rain in the mountains raised the water level in every tributary.
Farmers along the tributary rely on it to water their crops.
Words that go with tributary
adjective + noun
- major tributaryThe Missouri is a major tributary of the Mississippi.
- main tributaryThe main tributary joins the river near the town.
- small tributaryA small tributary runs behind the old mill.
noun + preposition
- tributary ofThis small creek is a tributary of the Columbia River.
noun + noun
- tributary streamEach tributary stream carries meltwater into the main river.
- river tributaryEach river tributary carries silt down to the delta.