Tributary vs. Creek — What's the Difference?

A tributary or affluent is a stream or river that flows into a larger stream or main stem (or parent) river or a lake. A tributary does not flow directly into a sea or ocean.

A member of a Native American people formerly inhabiting eastern Alabama, southwest Georgia, and northwest Florida and now located in central Oklahoma and southern Alabama. The Creek were removed to Indian Territory in the 1830s.

A stream that flows into a larger stream or other body of water.

The Muskogean language of the Creek.

A ruler or nation that pays tribute.

A Native American confederacy made up of the Creek and various smaller southeast tribes.

Making additions or yielding supplies; contributory.

A member of this confederacy. In all senses also called Muskogee1.

Paid in tribute.

A small stream, often a shallow or intermittent tributary to a river. Also called regionally branch, brook1, kill2, run.

Paying tribute

A channel or stream running through a salt marsh

(hydrology) A natural water stream that flows into a larger river or other body of water.

Chiefly British A small inlet in a shoreline, extending farther inland than a cove.

(anatomy) A vein which drains into a another vein.

(British) A small inlet or bay, often saltwater, narrower and extending farther into the land than a cove; a recess in the shore of the sea, or of a river; the inner part of a port that is used as a dock for small boats.

A nation, state, or other entity that pays tribute.

A stream of water (often freshwater) smaller than a river and larger than a brook; in Australia, also used of river-sized bodies of water.

Related to the paying of tribute.

Any turn or winding.

Subordinate; inferior

A small inlet or bay, narrower and extending further into the land than a cove; a recess in the shore of the sea, or of a river.

Yielding supplies of any kind; serving to form or make up, a greater object of the same kind, as a part, branch, etc.; contributing.

A stream of water smaller than a river and larger than a brook.

Paying tribute to another, either from compulsion, as an acknowledgment of submission, or to secure protection, or for the purpose of purchasing peace.

Any turn or winding.

Hence, subject; subordinate; inferior.

A natural stream of water smaller than a river (and often a tributary of a river);

Paid in tribute.

Any member of the Creek Confederacy (especially the Muskogee) formerly living in Georgia and Alabama but now chiefly in Oklahoma

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 ruler or state that pays tribute, or a stated sum, to a conquering power, for the purpose of securing peace and protection, or as an acknowledgment of submission, or for the purchase of security.

A stream or river flowing into a larger river or into a lake; an affluent.

A branch that flows into the main stream

Of a stream; flowing into a larger stream

Paying tribute;

Tending to bring about; being partly responsible for;