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

Allergies Allergies happen when your immune system overreacts to foreign substances, such as pollen, pet dander, or dust. —Lindsay Curtis, Health, 4 Sep. 2025

By using pollen to reflect more of the energy, the camellia microgel regulates skin temperature, keeping it about 9 degrees Fahrenheit cooler for around 20 minutes. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 4 Sep. 2025

Healthier plants can better support beneficial insects and birds by providing more nectar and pollen, more berries, and potentially more sheltered spaces for habitat. —Special To The Denver Post, Denver Post, 31 Aug. 2025

That ice cream is sandwiched between two brown butter cookies pressed with sesame and hemp seeds, local bee pollen and Maldon salt. —Keith Pandolfi, The Enquirer, 29 Aug. 2025

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