cross-pollination

noun

cross-pol·​li·​na·​tion ˌkrȯs-ˌpä-lə-ˈnā-shən 

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

Use technology to bring people together, encourage cross-pollination of ideas and create projects that bring together people with different skills and backgrounds. —Sam Lawrence, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025

There are countless examples of cross-pollination within or across disciplines that lead to discovery. —Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 24 Feb. 2025

The cross-pollination yields a brand of comedy whose values are clear but that never loses sight of life’s unpredictability. —Ismail Muhammad, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2025

Lawrence Welk Only a couple sketches attempted the kind of cross-pollination that made SNL’s 40th-anniversary special so spectacular, including the Bronx Beat ladies having coffee with Linda Richman. —Joe Berkowitz, Vulture, 17 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1882, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for cross-pollination

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

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