cross-pollinate

[ kraws-pol-uh-neyt, kros- ]

verb (used with object)

, cross-pol·li·nat·ed, cross-pol·li·nat·ing.

1. to subject to cross-pollination.

cross-pollinate

verb

1. to subject or be subjected to cross-pollination

Word History and Origins

Origin of cross-pollinate¹

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

“I see this space as being an incubator. We know that when you cross-pollinate creatives, good things happen.”

From Seattle Times

It would have been too tricky to cross-pollinate them.

From Los Angeles Times

We cross-pollinate plants that have the attributes that we’re looking for.

From Scientific American

Unless you’re growing a multigraft espalier, or your neighbors have apple trees in their garden, to get good fruit set, you’ll need to plant more than one variety so the trees can cross-pollinate.

From Seattle Times

"One of the Madonna's skills is that she's able to cross-pollinate ideas between different projects," said Price.

From BBC

Related Words

• crossbreed
• hybridize
• interbreed
• mix