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

That is putting pollen in the air, and pollen is our number one, usually the first thing that triggers allergies for people. —Lauren Whitney, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026

Leaves, pollen, insects, and debris accumulate on the water surface, while dirt settles along the pool floor and waterline. —Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 27 Mar. 2026

The female stigmas and the male pollen of seagrasses use the flow and viscosity of water to their advantage. —David George Haskell, Big Think, 27 Mar. 2026

On Wednesday, March 25, Boise reported 1,220 grains of pollen per cubic meter of air, according to the Boise Valley Asthma & Allergy Clinic. —Hali Smith, Idaho Statesman, 26 Mar. 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