pollinate

verb

pol·​li·​nate ˈpä-lə-ˌnāt How to pronounce pollinate (audio)
pollinated; pollinating

transitive verb

1
: to carry out the pollination of
2
: to mark or smudge with pollen

Examples of pollinate in a Sentence

The plants are pollinated by bees.
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 fig wasps carry pollen from the caprifigs to female blossoms, pollinating them. — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 2 Sep. 2026 From pollinating insects like bees to birds and amphibians, visitors to your yard need water to drink. — Nadia Hassani, The Spruce, 29 Aug. 2026 This bee pollinates the high-altitude plants of the Himalayas, including the very rhododendrons whose toxins make the honey so curious and dangerous. — Prayan Pokharel, The Conversation, 27 Aug. 2026 Some indoor farms do not have bees, and growers pay workers to pollinate flowers by hand. — Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pollinate

Word History

First Known Use

1873, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pollinate was in 1873

Phrases Containing pollinate

Rhymes for pollinate

See All Rhymes for pollinate

Browse Nearby Words

pollinarium
pollinate
pollination
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pollinate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pollinate. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

pollinate

verb
pol·​li·​nate ˈpäl-ə-ˌnāt How to pronounce pollinate (audio)
pollinated; pollinating
: to place pollen on the stigma of
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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