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

To encourage cross-pollination of ideas, Villa staff often travel to Irun to monitor current loanees, though unfortunately Munroe suffered an ankle injury in March and returned to the Midlands for rehabilitation. —Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 16 May 2025

The program led to cross-pollination between the university, the companies, and their workers, who shared knowledge with their employers or started new companies in the region. —Mark Dent, HubSpot, 25 Apr. 2025

Finally, big systems benefit from cross-pollination with external partners. —Stephen Wunker, Forbes.com, 14 Apr. 2025

After the war, the pace of East-West picture book cross-pollination quickened dramatically. —Leonard S. Marcus, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1882, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for cross-pollination

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

Kids Definition

cross-pollination

noun

cross-pol·​li·​na·​tion

ˌkrȯ-ˌspäl-ə-ˈnā-shən

: the transfer of pollen from one flower to the stigma of another