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 discovery announced earlier this month proves that the bat species, which plays an important role in pollinating desert plants, has a further migration range than previously believed and will allow scientists to expand conservation efforts into Arizona, according to BCI. Jessica Boehm, Axios, 28 Jan. 2025 Alternatively, gardeners cand hand pollinate a few flowers and keep them covered. Heather Zidack, Hartford Courant, 11 Jan. 2025 Hand-Pollinate Flowers Fruiting plants like tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers are pollinated by insects or the wind in outdoor gardens. Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Dec. 2024 Although birds, bats and other mammals also pollinate, insects are the main pollinators for the vast majority of those plants. Rachel Mallinger, The Conversation, 19 July 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near pollinate

Cite this Entry

“Pollinate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pollinate. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

pollinate

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

More from Merriam-Webster on pollinate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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