What do you call a small river that joins a larger one?

What do you call a small river that joins a larger one?

• A. Watershed
• B. Hydrological Cycle
• C. Upper course
• D. Tributary

Answer: (D)

A smaller river or stream that flows into a larger one is called a tributary. This term specifically describes the relationship where the water from the smaller watercourse joins and contributes to the larger river, typically at a confluence, helping to form the main stem downstream. It isn’t the watershed, which is the entire drainage basin feeding the river system; nor the hydrological cycle, which is the global movement of water through the environment; nor the upper course, which refers to the early, steeper part of a river’s development. So the best term for a small river joining a larger one is tributary.

A smaller river or stream that flows into a larger one is called a tributary. This term specifically describes the relationship where the water from the smaller watercourse joins and contributes to the larger river, typically at a confluence, helping to form the main stem downstream. It isn’t the watershed, which is the entire drainage basin feeding the river system; nor the hydrological cycle, which is the global movement of water through the environment; nor the upper course, which refers to the early, steeper part of a river’s development. So the best term for a small river joining a larger one is tributary.