cross-pollination

noun

cross-pol·​li·​na·​tion ˌkrȯs-ˌpä-lə-ˈnā-shən 

1

: the transfer of pollen from one flower to the stigma of another

2

: cross-fertilization sense 2

cross-pollination of fantasy and realism

Examples of cross-pollination in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Unsurprisingly, there was a lot of cross-pollination between the Liccardo and Mulcahy crowds — but the Willow Glen party gets the prize for having the best beer of the night (and the supporters there included Gordon Biersch co-founder Dan Gordon, who knows a thing or two about beer). —Sal Pizarro, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024

This change requires a focus on cross-pollination of ideas, encouraging executives to work outside their traditional domains and bringing fresh perspectives to challenges. —Chris Morris, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2024

Radical sabbaticals offer employees extended periods to explore different industries or roles, fostering innovation and cross-pollination of ideas. ForbesWomen: Get the ForbesWomen newsletter, and supercharge your mission with success stories, tips and more. —Cheryl Robinson, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024

While downplaying his assistance to the campaign, Rufo described it as an inspiring and novel cross-pollination of his political and personal experiences. —Yiyun Li, Harper's Magazine, 23 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1882, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

cross-pollination

noun

cross-pol·​li·​na·​tion

ˌkrȯ-ˌspäl-ə-ˈnā-shən

: the transfer of pollen from one flower to the stigma of another