pollinate

verb

pol·​li·​nate ˈpä-lə-ˌnāt 

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

To ensure a good harvest of fruit, remove the row covers when your plants begin to flower or hand-pollinate the blossoms with an old makeup brush or Q-tip. — Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 20 July 2026

Birds and other pollinators, like bees and butterflies, will appreciate the opportunity to pollinate nearby or the chance to rest on the rocks. — Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 July 2026

How Tomato Plants Are Pollinated Tomato plants are self-pollinating, meaning each flower contains both male and female parts and can pollinate itself. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 25 June 2026

The overpowering scent of the corpse flower (Amorphophallus titanum) is meant to trick carrion beetles and flies to visit and pollinate the flowers. — Kassia Bonesteel, CBS News, 25 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1873, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing pollinate

• cross-pollinate
• self-pollinate

Rhymes for pollinate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate
• angulate

Kids Definition

pollinate

verb

pol·​li·​nate ˈpäl-ə-ˌnāt 

pollinated; pollinating

: to place pollen on the stigma of