pollen

1 of 2

noun (1)

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

pollan

2 of 2

noun (2)

pol·​lan

variants or less commonly pollen

ˈpälə̇n 

plural pollan

: a whitefish (Coregonus pollan) of Irish lakes

Examples of pollen in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Black-eyed Susans also act as a vital food source for pollinators (with their pollen and nectar) and birds (with their seeds in fall and winter). —Cori Sears, The Spruce, 13 June 2026

Window screens allow fresh air to flow on beautiful days while keeping pollen and insects out. —Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 11 June 2026

Male catkins develop pollen which drifts on the wind to pollinate female flowers. —Sheryl Devore, Chicago Tribune, 10 June 2026

Persistent headaches, scratchy throats and that foggy, fatigued feeling that never quite lifts may not be a virus or seasonal pollen. —Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Charlotte Observer, 8 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

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

Noun (2)

origin unknown

First Known Use

Noun (1)

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