Meaning & use
tributaries
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“tributaries” is a form of “tributary”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meaning
nouncountable
Smaller rivers or streams that flow into a larger river or lake.
Grammar: Countable noun; the singular is 'tributary'. Use 'a tributary of' to name the larger river.
Patterns
- tributaries of a river
- a tributary of the Amazon
- feed tributaries
The Missouri and the Ohio are major tributaries of the Mississippi.
Pollution in the tributaries can affect the whole river system.
The lake is fed by several small tributaries.
Word forms
| singular | tributary |
|---|
Common combinations
- major tributaries
- The map shows the major tributaries of the river.
- small tributaries
- Small tributaries join the main river along its course.
- tributaries of the Nile
- The Blue Nile and the White Nile are tributaries of the Nile.
Synonyms and how they differ
Word family
- tributary noun
- Singular form; a river or stream that flows into a larger one.
Commonly confused: tributaries or tribulation?
tributaries vs tribulation
Tribulation means great trouble or suffering; it sounds similar but is unrelated to rivers.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'tributaries' correctly?
Choose one answer.
Option 0 is correct because 'tributaries' are rivers or streams that flow into a larger body of water. The other options use 'tributaries' with things that are not rivers.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “tributaries”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.