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

Wash your car every two weeks, but consider weekly washes in spring, summer, or winter if it's exposed to pollen, sap, or road salt. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 7 July 2025

Their beating wings vibrate, inadvertently loosening pollen, which then falls onto the female part of the flower. —Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 July 2025

For tree allergies, pollen season generally runs from February to May, grass pollen season runs from April to June, and weed pollen season runs from August to November. —Chad Murphy, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025

For instance, the insects that feast on juneberry flowers return the favor by carrying pollen to other blossoms. —The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 27 June 2025

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