Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Wiktionary
n. the measurement of the number of grains of pollen in a cubic meter of air
WordNet
n. the number of pollen grains (usually ragweed) in a standard volume of air over a twenty-four hour period and a specified time and place
Wikipedia
Pollen count is the measurement of the number of grains of pollen in a cubic meter of air. The higher the number, the more people will suffer if they are allergic to a particular pollen ( hay fever). Usually, the counts are announced for specific plants such as grass, ash, or olive. These are tailored to what is usually a common plant in the area being measured.
One method of taking the sample uses a silicone grease-covered rod that is rotated in the air to collect the pollen. The rod is rotated periodically during the collection period to gather samples through an entire 24-hour day. The rod is then removed and taken to a lab where the collected material is analyzed for the type of pollen and its concentration.
In the UK, the public announcement of the pollen count was popularised by Dr. William Frankland, an immunologist.
According to a study by Leonard Bielory, M.D. that was presented to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, climate changes are expected to cause pollen counts to more than double by 2040.
Usage examples of "pollen count".
If you recall, spring came late last year and the pollen count was high, which meant her allergies were acting up.
There was Bugleg, eyes streaming with tears from the cold air and the pollen count, looking on unhappily as Lopez gave firm orders.
On the days when the air was heavy or the pollen count was sky high, she stuffed packets of tissues, aspirin, antihistamines, decongestants, and eyedrops into her purse and kept on going.
A higher smog or pollen count told them what kind of efficiency levels they could expect from soldiers.
She could feel her body sagging in the heat and the pollen count was up nearly to 200.
Bright sunny skies, a light breeze, little pollution and a low pollen count, and she and Mark had painted the bedroom a bright cornflower blue.
On Long Island I used to have to wear one of those masks sometimes when I played sports in the spring when the pollen count or the pollution index was high.
The ozone index was lower, the pollen count was down and pigeon droppings were, well, dropping.