What does pollinate mean?
Pollinate means to transfer pollen, usually from the male parts of a flower to the female parts, so that reproduction can occur. The process is essential to the production of seeds and fruit in most flowering plants and can be carried out by wind, water, insects, birds, bats, or other animals. In agriculture, people may also pollinate crops manually, particularly in controlled growing environments. The verb can figuratively mean to spread or transmit ideas, trends, or influence. Its everyday importance is easy to underestimate: insects and other animals that carry pollen between flowers make possible many foods people eat, including apples, almonds, and many vegetables. Pollination is also distinct from fertilization: pollination transfers pollen, while fertilization involves the joining of reproductive cells.
verbTo transfer pollen from the male reproductive structures of a flowering plant to the female reproductive structures, enabling fertilization and the production of seeds and fruit. More broadly, to pollinate means to supply or spread pollen.
- To transfer pollen from the anthers of a flower to a stigma, or from the male reproductive structures of one plant to the female reproductive structures of another.
- To supply an area, crop, or plant with pollen, especially for the purpose of fertilizing it.
"Bees pollinate the apple trees in the orchard as they collect nectar."
"Wind pollinates grasses and many trees."
"Farmers may pollinate greenhouse tomatoes by hand or with specialized equipment."
Without pollination, most flowering plants could not reproduce naturally—and an apple orchard would lose its familiar fruit.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does pollinate come from?
Pollinate was formed in the early 19th century from the Latin pollen, meaning “fine dust” or “powder,” combined with the suffix -ate. The Latin pollen is also the source of pollinator and pollination, which developed as terms for the agent and process involved in transferring pollen. The underlying Latin word referred to the powdery substance found on flowers.
Related word forms
How pollinate is actually used
The word is used mainly in biology, agriculture, horticulture, and environmental science. In general contexts, “pollinate” can figuratively mean to spread ideas, information, or influence, but that use is less formal.
Easily confused with pollinate
Pollination is the transfer of pollen, whereas fertilization is the fusion of reproductive cells; fertilization may follow pollination but is not the same process.
Cultivation involves growing or improving plants, while pollination specifically refers to the transfer of pollen needed for reproduction.