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

Over six months, this cover has kept our patio chairs dry and clean through storms and spring pollen in the South. —Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 30 May 2025

Then the pollen slowly began to reemerge as the environment stabilized. —Francisca Oboh Ikuenobe, The Conversation, 20 May 2025

That all changed one day in 1841, when Edmond, then 12 years old, approached a blooming vanilla orchid and nimbly peeled back the lip of the flower to reveal the pollen inside. —Jay Cheshes, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 May 2025

Tan, a longtime animal foster, adopter and founder of Whisker Media, learned through testing that Franklin is allergic to just about everything outdoors — particularly pollen and grass. —Jen Reeder, Forbes.com, 15 May 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