incubation

noun

in·​cu·​ba·​tion ˌiŋ-kyə-ˈbā-shən 

ˌin-

1

: the act or process of incubating

2

: incubation period

Examples of incubation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Those who were exposed to measles could develop symptoms as early as Monday, April 22, based on the typical incubation of the disease, according to a news release. —The Indianapolis Star, 22 Apr. 2024

Businesses today want employees who not only bring ideas to fruition but who lead the process end to end: from idea to invention to incubation to acceleration. —Sarah Davanzo, Rolling Stone, 11 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing incubation

• incubation period

Kids Definition

incubation

noun

in·​cu·​ba·​tion ˌiŋ-kyə-ˈbā-shən 

ˌin-

1

: the act or process of incubating

2

: incubation period

Medical Definition

incubation

noun

in·​cu·​ba·​tion ˌiŋ-kyə-ˈbā-shən, ˌin- 

1

: the act or process of incubating

2

: incubation period

incubational

-shnəl, -shən-ᵊl 

adjective