A stream that flows to a larger stream or a lake (noun)
Looking for the answer to the USA Today Rootonym clue “A stream that flows to a larger stream or a lake (noun)”? The solution is TRIBUTARY, a 9-letter word built on the root TRIBUT (“assign, allow, pay”). It appeared in the June 23, 2026 (Tuesday) USA Today Rootonym. See the full puzzle for that day's other words.
Answer
TRIBUTARY
TRIBUT***TRIBUTmeans “assign, allow, pay”
In a sentence
A TRIBUTARY in front of Don's cabin empties water into the Middle Fork of the Salmon River.
About this clue
The Rootonym clue “A stream that flows to a larger stream or a lake (noun)” has the answer TRIBUTARY (9 letters), built on the root TRIBUT, which means “assign, allow, pay”. Browse the full June 23, 2026 Rootonym puzzle for the other three words, or see all Rootonym answers.