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

Wasps are not needed to pollinate fig trees, especially not the popular kind that amateur growers tend to pick. — Nadia Hassani, The Spruce, 11 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

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

The flowers need to pollinate within two days; otherwise, the flowers will dry and drop. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 16 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