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

Outdoor units usually have a large coil covered with fins and bristles that help regulate the temperature and flow of refrigerant, but these can get easily plugged with dirt, pollen, grass clippings, and other debris. — Sheila Kim, The Spruce, 9 July 2026

Adults feed on pollen, nectar and honeydew and are valuable pollinators. — Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 July 2026

Dust, dirt, pollen, and spilled trash can also build up on the outside, making even rolling them to the curb unappealing. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 3 July 2026

Perhaps their immune systems were sensitized to alpha-gal by a local fungus, parasite, or pollen. — Burkhard Bilger, New Yorker, 29 June 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