pollen

noun

pol·​len ˈpä-lən 

1

: a mass of microspores in a seed plant appearing usually as a fine dust

2

: a dusty bloom on the body of an insect

Examples of pollen in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

There’s local cheese dusted with bee pollen from the island’s own hives. — Monica Mendal, Vogue, 10 Aug. 2026

By the 1990s, research suggested that certain childhood infections helped the body tune its immune system, instead of overreacting to dust, pollen and other allergens. — Baltimore Sun, Boston Herald, 9 Aug. 2026

Tips To Keep Shutters Clean Longer Keep nearby shrubbery, vines, and trees trimmed to keep them from scraping against shutters and transferring sap, pollen, moisture, and debris onto them. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 4 Aug. 2026

The freshest blooms will have no visible pollen, and the center should be dark and tight. — Sheryl Geerts, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

New Latin pollin-, pollen, from Latin, fine flour

First Known Use

1723, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing pollen

• pollen basket
• pollen count
• pollen grain
• pollen mother cell
• pollen sac
• pollen tube

Rhymes for pollen

• cauline
• fallen
• paulin
• befallen
• crestfallen
• tarpaulin

Kids Definition

pollen

noun

pol·​len ˈpäl-ən 

: a mass of tiny particles in the anthers of a flower that fertilize the seeds and usually appear as fine yellow dust

Medical Definition

pollen

noun

pol·​len ˈpäl-ən 

: a mass of male spores in a seed plant appearing usually as a fine dust