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

Pollinators including honeybees, bumblebees, and squash bees, fertilize flowers by transporting pollen from male blooms to female blooms. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 3 Apr. 2026

Silking is the crucial reproductive stage where hair-like strands emerge from the husk to receive pollen from the tassels, enabling kernel development. —Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 3 Apr. 2026

The sun is shining brighter, our days are a little longer, and the pollen is coating things as far as the eye can see. —Joy Harden Bradford, AJC.com, 2 Apr. 2026

Spring has sprung in Florida, bringing warmer temperatures, beautiful blooms, pollen wafting through the air and the Easter season. —Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Apr. 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