pollinator

noun

pol·​li·​na·​tor ˈpä-lə-ˌnā-tər 

: one that pollinates: such as

a

: an agent (such as an insect) that pollinates flowers

b

: pollenizer sense 1

Examples of pollinator in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Blazing star also attracts lots of pollinators, like butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds, providing a nectar source for them in the summer, while its seedheads provide food for birds in the winter. —Alexandra Kelly, Martha Stewart, 27 Jan. 2026

Some insecticide ingredients might contaminate the flowers and risk pollinator harm, even weeks or months after their application. —Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 23 Jan. 2026

Ashe junipers and springtime pollinators put Dallas in the top 20 of allergy capitals in the United States, according to a 2025 report by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. —Miriam Fauzia, Dallas Morning News, 20 Jan. 2026

Concern about the iconic species of pollinators has been growing for years though, with studies finding North America’s monarch populations have shrunk dramatically since the 1990s. —Drew Kann, AJC.com, 12 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1883, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for pollinator

• activator
• actuator
• agitator
• alligator
• allocator
• alternator
• animator
• annotator
• applicator
• arbitrator
• aspirator
• aviator

Kids Definition

pollinator

noun

pol·​li·​na·​tor ˈpäl-ə-ˌnāt-ər 

: something (as an insect) that pollinates flowers