pollination

noun

pol·​li·​na·​tion ˌpä-lə-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce pollination (audio)
: the transfer of pollen from an anther to the stigma in angiosperms or from the microsporangium to the micropyle in gymnosperms

Examples of pollination in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Most are beneficial or neutral to humans, and vital to our ecological functions, not just for pollination, but in creating soil and decomposing .... Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2023 And this year, the first half of April was exceptionally warm and dry, perfect for windblown pollination. Kevin Ambrose, Washington Post, 29 Oct. 2023 For some tomato varieties, pollination stops when daytime temperatures are higher than 85 degrees and nights are higher than 75 degrees. Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 July 2023 At a reception in the courtyard of the governor’s palace where the crowd included sons and daughters of Puebla who had migrated to New York and become successful, Mr. Adams compared the benefits of immigration to the pollination process. Andy Newman, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2023 Losing these bats would have a significant environmental impact — it’s estimated their pest control efforts and pollination abilities contribute $3 billion to the U.S.’s agriculture economy. Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 23 Sep. 2023 Learn about the many ways honeybees pollinate flowers, how other species are helpful in the process, and why pollination is important for the environment. BostonGlobe.com, 12 May 2023 The Aussie artist makes a case for cross-pop pollination, too, by featuring fellow rising international talents on the track. Sadie Bell, Peoplemag, 31 Aug. 2023 Seeley acknowledged that there will always be commercial bee operations, for honey production and for crop pollination. Sam Knight, The New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pollination.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1873, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pollination was in 1873

Dictionary Entries Near pollination

Cite this Entry

“Pollination.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pollination. Accessed 29 Nov. 2023.

Kids Definition

pollination

noun
pol·​li·​na·​tion ˌpäl-ə-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce pollination (audio)
: the act or process of pollinating

More from Merriam-Webster on pollination

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