[pol-uh-ney-shuh
n] 
| the transfer of pollen from the anther to the stigma. |
| pol·li·nate also pol·len·ate (pŏl'ə-nāt') tr.v. pol·li·nat·ed also pol·len·at·ed, pol·li·nat·ing also pol·len·at·ing, pol·li·nates also pol·len·ates To transfer pollen from an anther to the stigma of (a flower). [New Latin pollen, pollin-, pollen (from Latin, fine flour) + -ate1.] pol'li·na'tion n., pol'li·na'tor n. |
The carrying of pollen grains (the male sex cells in plants) to the female sex cells for fertilization. Pollination can occur between plants when pollen is carried by the wind or by insects such as the honeybee (see cross-fertilization), or within the same plant, in which case it is called self-fertilization.