cross-pollination
2
4.4
- noun
- /ˈkrɔsˌpɑləˈneɪʃən/
- The project benefited from cross-pollination between artists and scientists, leading to innovative solutions.
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Watch on YouTubeShould I make sure that there's a good, you know, a good vibrant cross pollination in your, you know, in your area?
- Should I make sure that there's a good, you know, a good vibrant cross pollination in your, you know, in your area?
- And these camps are becoming further and further separated and entrenched in their views because there's no cross pollination.
Examples
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The cross-pollination of different ideas in our team meetings sparked creative approaches to problem-solving.
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Constant migrations and cross-pollinations continually reshape Hispanic culture and result in a magisterial verbal multiplicity.
Academic text (1997) -
Should I make sure that there's a good, you know, a good vibrant cross pollination in your, you know, in your area?
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She emphasized the importance of cross-pollination among various departments to enhance collaboration and creativity.
Synonyms
1
5.6
The sharing of ideas between different groups that creates useful new ideas
1
4.6
Mixing ideas from different people or fields to make new solutions
How Innovative
Surface Forms
Morphology
cross-pollination = cross + pollination (transparent) = cross + pollination
Although used metaphorically for ideas, the figurative sense maps directly onto the literal components 'cross' + 'pollination', so learners who know the parts can infer the meaning.
Etymology
Cross-pollination uses the same flower image: pollen is 'fine dust' and cross means 'between different' groups. So a helpful way to remember the second meaning is to think of ideas as pollen that travel between people or fields, mix, and grow into new or better things.