pollination

noun

pol·​li·​na·​tion ˌpä-lə-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce pollination (audio)
: the transfer of pollen from an anther to the stigma in angiosperms or from the microsporangium to the micropyle in gymnosperms

Examples of pollination 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.
These plants are competing for sun, nutrients, water and especially pollination in this harsh environment of limited but intense sunlight. — ABC News, 25 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 They are often sold as bare-root plants, letting gardeners get off to a strong start without needing another tree for pollination. — Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 19 Aug. 2026 The good news is, though, that once temperatures return to normal, so should your plant’s pollination. — The Spruce, 16 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for pollination

Word History

First Known Use

1873, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of pollination was in 1873

Phrases Containing pollination

Rhymes for pollination

See All Rhymes for pollination

Browse Nearby Words

pollinate
pollination
pollinator
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pollination.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pollination. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

pollination

noun
pol·​li·​na·​tion ˌpäl-ə-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce pollination (audio)
: the act or process of pollinating

More from Merriam-Webster on pollination

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pollination

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All