open-pollinated
Americanadjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of open-pollinated
First recorded in 1920–25
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Though not all open-pollinated seeds are heirlooms, heirloom seeds are always open-pollinated — meaning the plant is pollinated naturally, by air, insects, birds or other animals — and will often be labeled as such.
From Salon ● Aug. 22, 2023
Southern Exposure offers heirloom and open-pollinated seed, each variety with a story to tell — a link to those who grew it before, and the places it originated.
From Seattle Times ● Feb. 14, 2023
So research whether your variety is open-pollinated — and if not, enjoy the surprise.
From New York Times ● Sep. 16, 2020
Angie Lavezzo of Sow True Seed in Asheville, N.C., is a self-professed “heirloom seed nut” who is always looking for heritage, open-pollinated varieties to add to the company’s catalogue.
From Washington Post ● Nov. 25, 2019
Dry gardeners who will want to cut side shoots for as long as possible during summer from large, well-established plants may prefer crude, open-pollinated varieties.
From Gardening Without Irrigation: or without much, anyway by Solomon, Steve
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
