pollinator

American  

[pah-luh-nayt-er] / ˈpɑ ləˌneɪt ər /

noun

1. an insect or other animal that pollinates a plant.

2. a plant which provides pollen for cross-pollination.

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Explanation

An animal that helps fertilize plants by moving pollen from one to another is a pollinator. Honeybees act as inadvertent pollinators as they collect nectar to make honey. When you think of pollinators, you probably picture bees buzzing from flower to flower as pollen collects on their legs. Many other insects, including ants, wasps, beetles, and butterflies, are also pollinators. Birds are too — and even mammals like possums and monkeys can pollinate plants, spreading pollen from the anther of one flower to the stigma of another so the plant can reproduce. The Latin root of pollinator, meaning "fine flour," describes pollen's powdery appearance.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

pollinator

Rising temperatures and increasingly frequent heatwaves are adding even more stress to pollinator populations.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 10, 2026

Putting out shallow dishes of water, log piles, plant pollinator friendly plants were some of the steps we at home can make to facilitate hedgehogs.

From BBC ● May 9, 2026

Pumpkin Fanatic includes more than 50,000 entries, mapping out each pumpkin’s seed and pollinator.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 10, 2025

“The city of Santa Rosa does not want to do anything to discourage people who want to support our pollinator community,” Stapp told The Times.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 6, 2025

I have failed to find a good pollinator for these Elfins, so they are shy croppers, although producing plenty of the female blooms.

From Northern Nut Growers Association Report of the Proceedings at the 41st Annual Meeting Pleasant Valley, New York, August 28, 29 and 30, 1950 by Northern Nut Growers Association