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

This action sends forth billowing clouds of gray smoke—pollen, actually—so that the yews do appear, genuinely, to be smoldering. —Caity Weaver, The Atlantic, 5 June 2025

By producing flowers that are sterile, not just feminized, growers may finally have a buffer against stray pollen. —Javier Hasse, Forbes.com, 2 June 2025

Seasonal allergies can start when plants begin releasing pollen. —Kelly Burch Published, Verywell Health, 23 May 2025

Tree pollen typically peaks in April, while grass pollen emerges in late spring and continues through the summer months, usually from May to July. —Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 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