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

Cars are parked 95% of the time, depreciating while collecting pollen and bird droppings. —William Arruda, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025

Instead, support the parasitic wasp population by planting flowering plants that provide pollen and nectar for these natural enemies. —Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 June 2025

The data being collected included the amount of airborne fungal spores and pollen and the amount of people diagnosed with COVID-19 or the flu. —Stephanie Edwards, Discover Magazine, 20 June 2025

Its three-layer filtration system effectively eliminates 99.9% of pollutants, including dust, pollen, smoke, pet dander and VOCs. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 19 June 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