1. a branch of a river that flows away from the main stream and does not return to it
Usage: geography

1. relating to or functioning as a distributary
Usage: geography

Examples

• The Mississippi River has several distributaries that flow into the Gulf of Mexico.
• The Nile Delta contains numerous distributary channels.
• Unlike tributaries that join the main river, distributaries carry water away from it.
• The distributary system helps spread sediment across the delta plain.
• Engineers studied the distributary flow patterns to understand flood risks.
• The distributary channels create a complex network in the river delta.