tributary

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tributary" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a river or stream that flows into a larger river or lake, often in geographical or environmental contexts. Example: "The Missouri River is a major tributary of the Mississippi River, contributing significantly to its flow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In the press box there are some spectacular photographs of New Road in February, when it was a tributary of the Severn.

The Guardian - Sport

A lively trade took place on the back of the tributary missions, and the Okinawan depot in Quanzhou remained in unbroken use until the last tributary cargo came in from Naha in 1875.China seeped deep into Okinawan culture.

The Economist

The crews of the mission ships Okinawan for the most part used the islands as stepping stones on the route from Quanzhou to Naha and back.Imperial China's tributary relations are often misrepresented as chiefly a burden on the vassal state.

The Economist

It was a world in which status and stability in relations across Asia were regulated through a system of tributary states acknowledging Chinese centrality.

The Economist

The film features plenty of news footage of the base, including sewage pipes flowing into a tributary of Haiti's largest river.

The Economist

The volume of water flowing into the Murray and its main tributary, the Darling, between January and March was the lowest in 117 years.

The Economist

It is the Tisza river, the Danube's tributary further east, that often does the flood-damage in Hungary.

The Economist

A bigger one comes from the relentless demand by farmers for water from the Murray and its main tributary, the Darling River, to irrigate their crops.

The Economist

Jiangxi officials regarded it and another proposed power plant on a Yangzi tributary as the "two nuclears" that would become a driving force of development in an energy-starved province.If all had gone to plan the Pengze nuclear plant would have begun to generate power in 2015.

The Economist

Men go out fishing in the Solimões river, a tributary of the Amazon, in canoes with diamond-shaped paddles or small outboard engines.

The Economist

The water-buyback scheme, as it is known, is a last-ditch bid to save Australia 's biggest river system, the Murray River and its main tributary, the Darling (see map).

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing river systems, use "tributary" to clearly indicate a stream or river that flows into a larger one. For political contexts, ensure you use "tributary" to denote a state or entity that pays tribute to another.

Common error

Avoid using "tributary" when you mean "tribute". "Tributary" refers to something that flows into something larger or a subordinate entity. "Tribute" is a payment or homage given to show respect or submission.

Linguistic Context

The word "tributary" functions primarily as a noun, referring to a stream or river that flows into a larger body of water. It can also serve as an adjective, describing something related to paying tribute. As Ludwig AI shows, it is used in geographical and political contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

6%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tributary" is a versatile term primarily used as a noun to describe a stream or river that flows into a larger body of water. It also functions as an adjective related to paying tribute. Ludwig AI confirms that the word is grammatically correct and commonly used, especially in News & Media and Encyclopedias, lending itself to a neutral but sometimes formal register. When using the term, remember that it is often confused with "tribute", and make sure to use "tributary" to refer to a contributing stream or river and "tribute" for a payment or homage. Be sure to rely on alternatives such as "feeder stream" or "affluent" where semantically appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feeder stream

Focuses specifically on the stream's function as a source.

affluent river

Highlights the characteristic of flowing towards a larger river.

branch

Emphasizes the aspect of something dividing into smaller parts, applicable in some river systems.

contributing stream

Highlights the action of contributing flow to a larger body of water.

influent

A more technical term for a stream that flows into a larger body of water.

feeder line

Used metaphorically to represent things that feed into a larger whole.

tributary nation

Highlights a political sense, of a nation paying tribute to another.

dependent state

Emphasizes the subservient political relationship.

contributing factor

Focuses on the element of contribution, extending beyond geographical context.

subordinate element

Highlights the hierarchical relationship of being lower in rank or importance.

FAQs

How is "tributary" used in geography?

In geography, a "tributary" is a stream or river that flows into a larger river, lake, or sea. It contributes its water to the main watercourse, increasing its volume.

What is a "tributary state"?

A "tributary state" is a country or region that acknowledges the supremacy of another state and provides it with regular payments or gifts, known as "tribute". This was a common arrangement in historical empires.

What can I say instead of "tributary"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "feeder stream", "affluent", or "branch" when referring to a river. For political contexts, "dependent state" or "vassal state" might be appropriate.

Is "tributary" an adjective or a noun?

"Tributary" can function as both an adjective and a noun. As a noun, it refers to a river or stream. As an adjective, it describes something related to paying "tribute" or contributing to something else.