subsidiary

[ suhb-sid-ee-er-ee ]

adjective

1. serving to assist or supplement; auxiliary; supplementary.
2. subordinate or secondary:

   subsidiary issues.

3. of or relating to a subsidiary.

noun

, plural sub·sid·i·ar·ies.

1. a subsidiary thing or person.
2. subsidiary company.
3. Music. a subordinate theme or subject.

subsidiary

/ səbˈsɪdɪərɪ /

adjective

1. serving to aid or supplement; auxiliary
2. of lesser importance; subordinate in function

noun

1. a person who or thing that is subsidiary
2. short for subsidiary company

Derived Forms

• subˈsidiarily, adverb
• subˈsidiariness, noun

Other Words From

• sub·sid·i·ar·i·ly [s, uh, b-sid-ee-, air, -, uh, -lee, -, sid, -ee-er-], adverb
• sub·sidi·ari·ness noun
• nonsub·sidi·ary adjective noun plural nonsubsidiaries
• unsub·sidi·ary adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of subsidiary¹

1535–45; < Latin subsidiārius, equivalent to subsidi ( um ) ( subsidy ) + -ārius -ary

Word History and Origins

Origin of subsidiary¹

C16: from Latin subsidiārius supporting, from subsidium subsidy

Example Sentences

Kiwi Beverages was incorporated in January 2024 when it also became a wholly owned subsidiary of SHE.

From BBC

Mr Musk's initial legal action filed in March argued the agreement had transformed it into "a closed-source de facto subsidiary" of the PC giant.

From BBC

A legacy brand like Air India, with strong global recognition and 'India' imprinted in its identity, wouldn’t have allowed a smaller, more premium subsidiary to overshadow its revival process.

From BBC

Fairshake has also set up two subsidiary PACs that support politicians of each political party.

From Los Angeles Times

It is often acquired from multinational firms that specialize in the product, but subsidiaries of large insurance companies sometimes buy reinsurance from a parent.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• ancillary
• supplementary