tributary
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Related to tributary: Tributary system
tributary
1. a stream, river, or glacier that feeds another larger one
2. a person, nation, or people that pays tribute
3. (of a stream, etc.) feeding a larger stream
Tributary
a river that flows into another river and usually has a shorter length, less water, and a different valley direction. Tributaries are differentiated according to whether they flow directly into the main river or into its tributaries. Rivers that flow into lakes or other inland waters are sometimes called tributaries.
tributary
[′trib·yə‚ter·ē] (hydrology)
A stream that feeds or flows into or joins a larger stream or a lake. Also known as contributory; feeder; side stream; tributary stream.