ENGLISH DICTIONARY

Ancillary

Definition, Meaning & Examples

Pronunciation /ænˈsɪl.ə.ɹiː/ · Part of speech adjective

Quick meaning: Ancillary is an adjective meaning Subordinate; secondary; auxiliary.

Meaning

Subordinate; secondary; auxiliary.

More Meanings

  1. Something that serves an ancillary function, such as an easel for a painter.
  2. (archaic) An auxiliary.

Example Sentences

The cafeteria is primarily used by students and staff (academic, administrative, and ancillary).
[…] how easily he took all things along with him,—the persons, the opinions, and the day, and nature became ancillary to a man.
[E]very organ of the body, whatever function it may perform, must also perform the other four functions in an ancillary manner.
Auxiliaries and ancillaries are comprehensive, and include a Westinghouse motor-driven recriprocating compressor used for locomotive braking and general service air, two rotary exhauster sets for train brakes when hauling passenger or fitted freight trains, and an oil-fired train heating boiler.

Word Forms

Synonyms for ancillary

Depending on context, synonyms include accessory, adjunct, auxiliary, adjuvant, subsidiary, supportive.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include subsidiary, appurtenant, accessory, adjunct, auxiliary, adjuvant.

Related Dictionary Tools

Sources & Attribution

FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0

Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.