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

In Mother Jones, Kiera Butler looks closer at the cross-pollination of ideas between Israeli and American conservatives. —David Weigel, semafor.com, 3 Sep. 2025

The cross-pollination between gyms like this and the world of online masculinity is strong. —Will Carless, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025

Estantino added that numerous cases benefit from cross-pollination of information from other detective units like gangs and robbery. —Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 30 Aug. 2025

Second, whether the court consolidates schedule or discovery with any overlapping issues in the DOJ action; even informal judicial cross-pollination can change momentum. —Anisha Sircar, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1882, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for cross-pollination

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

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