self-pollination

noun

self-pol·​li·​na·​tion ˌself-ˌpä-lə-ˈnā-shən 

: the transfer of pollen from the anther of a flower to the stigma of the same flower or sometimes to that of a genetically identical flower (as of the same plant or clone)

Examples of self-pollination in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The plants are pollinated naturally by wind, insects, birds, or self-pollination. — Erica Browne Grivas, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Jan. 2026

Although corn is self-fertile, in small backyard plantings less than 5% of the kernels on any corn plant result from self-pollination, while the rest are the result of pollen that comes from another plant. — Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 20 June 2024

Wind pollination is highly inefficient and self-pollination does not allow for evolution, so many plant species have evolved to entice and use insects and animals to pollinate themselves. — The San Diego Union Tribune, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1872, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for self-pollination

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

Kids Definition

self-pollination

noun

self-pol·​li·​na·​tion

ˌself-ˌpäl-ə-ˈnā-shən

: pollination of a flower by its own pollen or sometimes by pollen from another flower on the same plant

self-pollinate

ˈself-ˈpäl-ə-ˌnāt

verb