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

According to the National Weather Service, when a water droplet in a freezing atmosphere comes into contact with a nucleus, like a speck of dust or pollen, an ice crystal is formed. —Ray Petelin, CBS News, 31 Jan. 2026

Pet dander and pollen are common indoor contaminants, too. —Calin Van Paris, Outside, 29 Jan. 2026

These critters typically live outside, feeding on fungi, pollen, algae or decaying organic matter, often on or in the soil, according to the University of Minnesota. —Miriam Fauzia, Dallas Morning News, 27 Jan. 2026

This can happen during a wildfire, a dust storm, a high pollen day, a high mold spore day, in an area with industrial pollution, or in an urban area during rush hour. —Jamie Friedlander Serrano, Time, 27 Jan. 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