cross-pollination

American  

[kraws-pol-uh-ney-shuhn, kros-] / ˈkrɔsˌpɒl əˈneɪ ʃən, ˈkrɒs- /

noun

1. Botany. the transfer of pollen from the flower of one plant to the flower of a plant having a different genetic constitution.

2. a sharing or interchange of knowledge, ideas, etc., as for mutual enrichment; cross-fertilization.

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cross-pollination British  

noun

1. the transfer of pollen from the anthers of one flower to the stigma of another flower by the action of wind, insects, etc Compare self-pollination

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cross-pollination Scientific  

1. The transfer of pollen from the male reproductive organ (an anther or a male cone) of one plant to the female reproductive organ (a stigma or a female cone) of another plant. Insects and wind are the main agents of cross-pollination. Most plants reproduce by cross-pollination, which increases the genetic diversity of a population (increases the number of heterozygous individuals). Mechanisms that promote cross-pollination include having male flowers on one plant and female flowers on another, having pollen mature before the stigmas on the same plant are chemically receptive to being pollinated, and having anatomical arrangements (such as stigmas that are taller than anthers) that make self-pollination less likely.

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Etymology

Origin of cross-pollination

First recorded in 1880–85

Compare meaning

How does cross-pollination compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• self-pollination vs. cross-pollination

Example Sentences

This means they need cross pollination from a different variety to set fruit.

From Salon • Mar. 25, 2024

It does this through the age old process of focused cross pollination.

From BBC • Oct. 29, 2023

“Xaybu: The Unseen,” offers yet another way to hear the contemporary cross pollination of classical, rap and jazz.

From New York Times • Oct. 20, 2022

“It is the constant influx of new ideas and cross pollination of information across borders and cultures that has made American food what it is today,” he told me.

From Slate • Sep. 6, 2018

Hybridizing by cross pollination requires more time and skill than many of our members possess.

From Northern Nut Growers Association Thirty-Fourth Annual Report 1943 by Northern Nut Growers Association