First Known Use: 1543
Dictionary
1subsidiary
adjective sub·sid·i·ary \səb-ˈsi-dē-ˌer-ē, -ˈsi-də-rē\
: not as important as something else
: owned or controlled by another company
Full Definition of SUBSIDIARY
1
a : furnishing aid or support : auxiliary <subsidiary details> b : of secondary importance <a subsidiary stream>
2
: of, relating to, or constituting a subsidy <a subsidiary payment to an ally>
— sub·sid·i·ari·ly \-ˌsi-dē-ˈer-ə-lē\ adverb
See subsidiary defined for English-language learners
See subsidiary defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of SUBSIDIARY
Latin subsidiarius, from subsidium reserve troops
Other Economics Terms
Rhymes with SUBSIDIARY
apothecary, bicentenary, confectionary, confectionery, consigliere, constabulary, contemporary, deflationary, disciplinary, discretionary, diversionary, epistolary, exclusionary, expansionary, extemporary, extraordinary, fiduciary, hereditary, illusionary, imaginary, incendiary, inflationary, insanitary, intercalary, involuntary, itinerary, judiciary, lending library, marionberry, obituary, olallieberry, on the contrary, pecuniary, pituitary, precautionary, preliminary, presidiary, probationary, proprietary, provisionary, reactionary, subliterary, tercentenary, unnecessary, veterinary, vocabulary, voluptuary
2subsidiary
noun
: a company that is owned or controlled by another company
plural subsidiar·ies
Full Definition of SUBSIDIARY
: one that is subsidiary; especially : a company wholly controlled by another
See subsidiary defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of SUBSIDIARY
1603
Other Business Terms
Learn More About SUBSIDIARY
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: subsidiary cellPrevious Word in the Dictionary: subsidiarityAll Words Near: subsidiary
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up subsidiary? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).