cross-pollination

noun

cross-pol·​li·​na·​tion ˌkrȯs-ˌpä-lə-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce cross-pollination (audio)
Synonyms of cross-pollinationnext
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
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.
Ask Italian soccer club AS Roma, which on Wednesday made a double announcement that took the cross-pollination between the two fields to the next level. — Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 29 July 2026 Rotating people across teams can expose them to new problems, enabling a cross-pollination of good ideas that siloed structures stifle. — Michael Muthukrishna, Fortune, 23 July 2026 That cross-pollination is a major part of the company’s idea. — Asli Pelit, New York Times, 15 July 2026 And then, the cross-pollination came to an abrupt stop. — Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 24 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for cross-pollination

Word History

First Known Use

1882, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of cross-pollination was in 1882

Rhymes for cross-pollination

See All Rhymes for cross-pollination

Browse Nearby Words

cross-pollinate
cross-pollination
cross product
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cross-pollination.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cross-pollination. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

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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

More from Merriam-Webster on cross-pollination

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for cross-pollination

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cross-pollination

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