pollinate

verb

pol·​li·​nate ˈpä-lə-ˌnāt How to pronounce pollinate (audio)
pollinated; pollinating

transitive verb

1
: to carry out the pollination of
2
: to mark or smudge with pollen

Examples of pollinate in a Sentence

The plants are pollinated by bees.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Male catkins develop pollen which drifts on the wind to pollinate female flowers. — Sheryl Devore, Chicago Tribune, 10 June 2026 The flowers need to pollinate within two days; otherwise, the flowers will dry and drop. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 16 June 2026 Once temperatures reach just the right point, flowers get pollinated and fruits start to develop. — Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 June 2026 Honeybees pollinate and ensure the survival of crops such as blueberries, squash, watermelon and almonds. — ABC News, 3 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for pollinate

Word History

First Known Use

1873, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pollinate was in 1873

Phrases Containing pollinate

Rhymes for pollinate

See All Rhymes for pollinate

Browse Nearby Words

pollinarium
pollinate
pollination
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pollinate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pollinate. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

pollinate

verb
pol·​li·​nate ˈpäl-ə-ˌnāt How to pronounce pollinate (audio)
pollinated; pollinating
: to place pollen on the stigma of

More from Merriam-Webster on pollinate

Nglish: Translation of pollinate for Spanish Speakers

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