incubate

in·cu·bate

verb \ˈiŋ-kyə-ˌbāt, ˈin-\

in·cu·bat·edin·cu·bat·ing

Definition of INCUBATE

transitive verb

1

: to maintain (as eggs, embryos of animals, or bacteria) under prescribed and usually controlled conditions favorable for hatching or development especially in an incubator

2

: to maintain (a chemically active system) under controlled conditions for the development of a reaction

intransitive verb

: to undergo incubation <the cultures incubated for five days>