Yielding supplies of any kind; serving to form or make up, a greater object of the same kind, as a part, branch, etc.; contributing; as, the Ohio has many tributary streams, and is itself tributary to the Mississippi.

A stream flowing into or joining a larger stream.

A stream of water that connects to a larger stream or creek.

A stream or other body of water, surface or underground, which intermittently contributes its water in small quantities to another larger stream or body of water.