# tributary

/ˈtɹɪbjəˌtɛɹi/ (US) · /tɹˈɪbjuːtəɹi/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/tributary
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

a smaller river or stream that flows into a larger one. It can also describe a smaller blood vessel that joins a larger one in your body.

For teachers: a stream or river that flows into a larger main stem or a lake; in anatomy, a smaller vein or lymphatic vessel that empties into a larger trunk.

## Examples

- The Missouri River is a major tributary of the Mississippi.
- Heavy rainfall in the mountains caused every small tributary to swell, eventually flooding the main river valley downstream.
- The surgeon carefully mapped the vascular network, identifying each minor tributary that fed into the primary vein to prevent excessive bleeding during the procedure.

## Usage notes

- Often used with the preposition 'of' to indicate the larger body of water or vessel it joins.

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