pollen

noun

pol·​len ˈpä-lən 

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

Like many flowering plants, Cassiope needs help moving pollen — the male reproductive cells — to the female parts of another flower. — Denise Hruby, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2026

The second is a Grappa Sidecar, featuring aged grappa, sambuca, chamomile honey, dry curaçao, lemon and local bee pollen. — Jenn Rice, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026

But the pollen parts are themselves tucked away, meaning the plant can’t rely on wind for pollination. — Literary Hub, 20 Aug. 2026

The pollen is back, the weather is unbearable and the leaves are threatening to do something. — Nick Baumgardner, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1723, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing pollen

• pollen basket
• pollen count
• pollen grain
• pollen mother cell
• pollen sac
• pollen tube

Rhymes for pollen

• cauline
• fallen
• paulin
• befallen
• crestfallen
• tarpaulin

Kids Definition

pollen

noun

pol·​len ˈpäl-ən 

: 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 

: a mass of male spores in a seed plant appearing usually as a fine dust