What does pollen mean?
Pollen is the fine, powdery material produced by flowering plants. It consists of microscopic grains released from the male parts of flowers, especially the anthers, and it contains the cells needed for reproduction. When pollen reaches a compatible flower, it may germinate and form a pollen tube, allowing fertilization to occur. Wind, insects, birds, and other animals can transfer pollen between flowers, a process known as pollination. In everyday speech, pollen is especially associated with spring, hay fever, and allergic reactions. The word is generally uncountable in modern usage, although “pollens” occurs occasionally when different kinds or quantities of pollen are being discussed. It is also commonly paired with terms such as “pollen grains,” “pollen count,” and “pollen allergy.”
nounPollen is the fine powdery substance produced by flowering plants, consisting of microscopic grains that contain the male reproductive cells. It is transferred by wind, insects, birds, and other animals during pollination.
- The fine powdery grains produced by the anthers of flowering plants and released for reproduction.
- A pollen grain, especially when considered individually or in the context of allergy research.
"Golden pollen dusted the petals of the lilies."
"The wind carried pollen from the meadow into the garden."
"Researchers measured how much pollen was present in the air during the spring."
Uncommon; pollen is normally used as an uncountable mass noun.
"The study compared the pollens collected from several different plants."
Every grain of pollen is a tiny delivery vehicle carrying a plant's genetic material to another flower.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does pollen come from?
The word pollen comes through French from Latin pollen, meaning “fine dust” or “flour.” Its specialized botanical sense developed in the 17th century as scientists began describing the male reproductive material of flowering plants. The modern term was adopted alongside the developing vocabulary of plant reproduction, including the related words pollination and pollinate.
Related word forms
How pollen is actually used
Pollen is usually treated as an uncountable mass noun. The plural pollens is uncommon, while pollen grains is the usual way to refer to individual particles.
Easily confused with pollen
Pollen is the male reproductive material of flowering plants, whereas spores are reproductive units produced by a wider range of organisms, including ferns, mosses, and fungi.