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, 6 Feb. 2026

Austin allergy update Breezy winds at times this week may stir up allergens across Central Texas, especially tree pollen. —Mary Wasson, Austin American Statesman, 4 Feb. 2026

In 2022, Mimosa Echard won the Prix Marcel Duchamp and exhibited the installation Escape more at the Centre Pompidou in Paris—a display consisting of glass walls, streams of water and urine, pollen, ginkgo tree eggs, newsprint, films, and assorted tchotchkes, among other items. —Theo Belci, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2026

According to the National Weather Service, when a water droplet in a freezing atmosphere comes into contact with a nucleus, like a speck of dust or pollen, an ice crystal is formed. —Ray Petelin, CBS News, 31 Jan. 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