gestation

noun

ges·​ta·​tion je-ˈstā-shən How to pronounce gestation (audio)
1
: the carrying of young in the uterus (see uterus sense 1) : pregnancy
2
: conception (see conception sense 3) and development especially in the mind
gestational adjective

Examples of gestation in a Sentence

the gestation of new ideas The book has been in gestation for a long time.
Recent Examples on the Web Having a long gestation as a private company getting investment dollars isn’t unusual today. Erik Sherman, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024 While some couples might welcome the idea of having twins or even triplets, there are higher risks associated with multiple gestation, Dr. Ryniec says. Maressa Brown, Parents, 21 Feb. 2024 McDonald’s pledged to avoid the use of gestation crates for pregnant pigs entirely by 2024. Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 7 Feb. 2024 At the time, Ohio allowed abortions up to 22 weeks gestation unless a woman's life was at stake. Anne Flaherty, ABC News, 11 Jan. 2024 Approximately 49% of abortions in Illinois were completed before eight weeks gestation, after cardiac activity is identifiable via ultrasound. Gabrielle M. Etzel, Washington Examiner, 11 Jan. 2024 Less than 1% of all abortions performed in 2020 occurred at or after 21 weeks gestation, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 10 Nov. 2023 Mifepristone is taken in combination with a second medicine, misoprostol, to terminate a pregnancy through 10 weeks gestation. Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 24 Jan. 2024 The book’s kaleidoscopic structure and long gestation allow Glück to evoke how both his fictional stand-in and Ed change over time. Daniel Felsenthal, The New Yorker, 19 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'gestation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin gestation-, gestatio, from gestare to bear, frequentative of gerere to bear

First Known Use

1615, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of gestation was in 1615

Dictionary Entries Near gestation

Cite this Entry

“Gestation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gestation. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

gestation

noun
ges·​ta·​tion je-ˈstā-shən How to pronounce gestation (audio)
: the carrying of young in the uterus : pregnancy

Medical Definition

gestation

noun
ges·​ta·​tion je-ˈstā-shən How to pronounce gestation (audio)
1
: the carrying of young in the uterus from conception to delivery : pregnancy
2
gestational adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on gestation

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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