tributary

CEFRB2

/ˈtɹɪbjʊtəɹi/

noun · adjective

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    noun

    A smaller river that flows into a larger river.

  2. 02

    noun

    Extra detail

    A nation, state, or other entity that pays tribute.

Examples

  • During the 15th century, the Ryukyu Kingdom was a tributary state of Imperial China.

  • The Oste is a tributary of the River Elbe.

At a glance

Sits at B2 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
2
Citations
2
Synonyms
2

Deep Dive

noun

Extra meanings

  1. A vein which drains into another vein.

  2. A natural water stream that flows into a larger river or other body of water.

adjective

Extra meaning

  1. Related to the paying of tribute.

More examples

In context

  • The great saphenous vein is a tributary of the femoral vein.

  • The Ohio has many tributary streams, and is itself tributary to the Mississippi.

  • An earneſt Coniuration from the King, / As England was his faithfull Tributary

Synonyms

Antonyms

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

The small creek acts as a blank to the big river, bringing water from the hills.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

noun

PIE word *tréyes From Middle English tributarie (“paying tribute”), from Latin tribūtārius, from tribūtum (“tribute”).