pollinate

verb

pol·​li·​nate ˈpä-lə-ˌnāt How to pronounce pollinate (audio)
pollinated; pollinating

transitive verb

1
: to carry out the pollination of
2
: to mark or smudge with pollen

Examples of pollinate in a Sentence

The plants are pollinated by bees.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The flowers will not pollinate, and the plants just sit there. Steve Bender, Southern Living, 16 July 2025 Most likely those fruits were not fully pollinated. Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 July 2025 The study also finds that of those seed mixes that attracted pollinating insects in higher numbers, a small number of key wildflower species were visited frequently, and these preferred flower species differed between pollinator groups. Grrlscientist, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025 Spray late in the evening to reduce the direct impact on pollinating insects. Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 11 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for pollinate

Word History

First Known Use

1873, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pollinate was in 1873

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pollinate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pollinate. Accessed 2 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

pollinate

verb
pol·​li·​nate ˈpäl-ə-ˌnāt How to pronounce pollinate (audio)
pollinated; pollinating
: to place pollen on the stigma of

More from Merriam-Webster on pollinate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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