ENGLISH
REFERENCE

subsidiary

n. · adj.
US //səbˈsɪdiˌɛɹi// UK //sʌbsˈɪdjəɹi// sub·sidiary
  1. 1 a branch company (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a company that is owned and controlled by another, larger company.

    a company whose voting stock is more than 50% controlled by another company, known as the parent or holding company.

    Example

    The famous car brand is actually a subsidiary of a much larger German group.

    Example

    The multinational corporation operates through several local subsidiaries to navigate the specific regulatory requirements of each individual market.
    • parent company
    • holding company
  2. 2 music/theatre (n.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Music

    a less important part of a piece of music or a story.

    a subordinate theme or character that supports the primary subject matter.

    Example

    The composer introduces a light subsidiary theme halfway through the first movement.

    Example

    The analysis focuses on how the subsidiary motifs provide a rhythmic counterpoint to the dominant melodic line throughout the concerto.
    • subtheme
    • main theme
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  1. 3 secondary or extra (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    used to describe something that is less important than the main part, or something that provides extra help.

    functioning in a secondary, subordinate, or supplemental capacity to a primary entity or objective.

    Example

    The office has a main heater and a subsidiary one for very cold days.

    Example

    The report argued that while the environmental benefits were subsidiary to the economic goals, they were nonetheless significant.
Origin

From Middle French subsidiaire, from Latin subsidiarius (“belonging to a reserve”).

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