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pollinating

/ˌpɒlɪˈneɪtɪŋ/ verb · British & US
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What does pollinating mean?

Pollinating is the process of transferring pollen from the male structures of a plant to the female reproductive organs, facilitating fertilization and seed production. This process is essential for the reproduction of many plant species, including crops like almonds and avocados. Bees, butterflies, and other insects are natural pollinators, but humans can also facilitate pollination through various methods, such as hand-pollination or the use of pollinators like honeybees. The term pollinating can refer to the process in general or to specific methods, like cross-pollination, which is required for some plants to produce fruit. Understanding pollinating is crucial for agriculture, horticulture, and conservation efforts, as it affects the reproduction and diversity of plant species.

verb

To transfer pollen from the male structures of a plant (anthers) to the female reproductive organs (stigma) of the same species, facilitating fertilization and seed production.

Example

"Bees are essential pollinators of many crops, including almonds and avocados."

Pollinating is often used in the context of agriculture and horticulture, but it can also refer to the process in general, without specifying the species or method.

noun

The process of transferring pollen from the male structures of a plant to the female reproductive organs, facilitating fertilization and seed production.

Example

"Pollination is essential for the reproduction of many plant species."

Pollination can refer to the process in general or to specific methods, like cross-pollination, which is required for some plants to produce fruit.

Plural pollinatings

The plural form pollinatings is used to refer to multiple instances of the process, such as in the sentence 'The garden requires multiple pollinatings to produce a successful harvest.'

Example

"The garden requires multiple pollinatings to produce a successful harvest."

Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.

Etymology of pollinating

The word pollinating comes from the noun pollen, which refers to the fine dust produced by plants as part of their reproductive cycle. The verb pollinating likely originated in the 15th century, when it was first used to describe the process of transferring pollen from one plant to another. The term has since been adopted in various fields, including agriculture, horticulture, and biology, to describe the essential process of plant reproduction.

How pollinating is actually used

Pollinating is often used in the context of agriculture and horticulture, but it can also refer to the process in general, without specifying the species or method.

What's another word for pollinating?

What's the opposite of pollinating?

Rhymes with pollinating