cross-pollination
noun
cross-pol·li·na·tion
ˌkrȯs-ˌpä-lə-ˈnā-shən 
1
: the transfer of pollen from one flower to the stigma of another
2
: cross-fertilization sense 2
cross-pollination of fantasy and realism
Examples of cross-pollination in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Saul Leiken, the company’s director of product line, told me there is some cross-pollination—for example, the bike’s battery uses the same cells as a Rivian’s, just at a lower density.
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ArsTechnica, 16 Apr. 2026
But know that dahlias grown from seed are not true to their parent plant due to cross-pollination.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 12 Apr. 2026
After pollinating, make sure to wash your paintbrush thoroughly to avoid cross-pollination between plants.
—Heather Bien, Southern Living, 8 Apr. 2026
This hybridization resulted in Bradford producing fertile fruit through cross-pollination from other cultivars.
—Campbell Vaughn, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
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ArsTechnica, 16 Apr. 2026
But know that dahlias grown from seed are not true to their parent plant due to cross-pollination.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 12 Apr. 2026
After pollinating, make sure to wash your paintbrush thoroughly to avoid cross-pollination between plants.
—Heather Bien, Southern Living, 8 Apr. 2026
This hybridization resulted in Bradford producing fertile fruit through cross-pollination from other cultivars.
—Campbell Vaughn, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cross-pollination
Cite this Entry
“Cross-pollination.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cross-pollination. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
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