subsidiary

A company that belongs to another, larger company.

• The group owns three subsidiaries.
• Their French subsidiary makes car parts.
• The company sold its overseas subsidiary last year.

How to use it: a subsidiary of something (This firm is a subsidiary of a large bank.)

Similar words: daughter company

Opposites: parent company

Common phrases: foreign subsidiary, subsidiary of something

Less important or lower in rank than something else it is connected to.

• Cost is a subsidiary issue here.
• The smaller business has a subsidiary role.
• All other aims are subsidiary to public safety.

How to use it: subsidiary to something (These concerns are subsidiary to the main question.)

Similar words: secondary, subordinate

Opposites: primary, principal

Common phrases: subsidiary role, subsidiary company, subsidiary stream

Providing extra help or adding to something that already exists.

• The office provides subsidiary services.
• Subsidiary funds helped complete the project.
• These notes supply subsidiary material for the course.

Similar words: supplementary, auxiliary, additional

Common phrases: subsidiary services, subsidiary support