pollen

noun

pol·​len ˈpä-lən How to pronounce pollen (audio)
1
: a mass of microspores in a seed plant appearing usually as a fine dust
2
: a dusty bloom on the body of an insect

Examples of pollen in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The resulting pollen is as pliable as Play-Doh, says Shahrudin Ibrahim, a research fellow in Cho’s lab who helped to develop the technique. Sandy Ong, JSTOR Daily, 11 Sep. 2025 Clothes worn outside can carry pollen, dust and other irritants. Rhonda Conner-Warren, The Conversation, 11 Sep. 2025 Drivers can check the type of pollen circulating outside of the vehicle, for instance. Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 9 Sep. 2025 Bumblebees bring pollen from one flower to another, allowing the plant to fertilize their seeds. Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 9 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pollen

Word History

Etymology

New Latin pollin-, pollen, from Latin, fine flour

First Known Use

1723, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pollen was in 1723

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pollen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pollen. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

pollen

noun
pol·​len ˈpäl-ən How to pronounce pollen (audio)
: a mass of tiny particles in the anthers of a flower that fertilize the seeds and usually appear as fine yellow dust

Medical Definition

pollen

noun
pol·​len ˈpäl-ən How to pronounce pollen (audio)
: a mass of male spores in a seed plant appearing usually as a fine dust

More from Merriam-Webster on pollen

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