incubate
verb
in·cu·bate
ˈiŋ-kyə-ˌbāt 
ˈin-
incubated; incubating
1
a
: to sit on (eggs) so as to hatch by the warmth of the body
b
: to maintain (something, such as an embryo or a chemically active system) under conditions favorable for hatching, development, or reaction
2
: to cause or aid the development of
incubate an idea
Examples of incubate in a Sentence
The female bird incubates the eggs.
Researchers incubated the cells in the laboratory.
The cultures must incubate for five more days.
The virus will incubate in the body for several days before the patient experiences any symptoms.
Recent Examples on the Web
With the business now thriving, Schlesser recently decided to follow through on his long-incubating plan to transform the vacant retail space next door into The Lounge.
—
Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Dec. 2025
Entrepreneur and producer Jack Davis has launched Tamarisk Lane, a new holding company that will invest in early-stage consumer brands, incubate new ventures, and advise major media and entertainment partners on strategy and growth.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 3 Dec. 2025
After being artificially fertilized and incubated in tanks, the spat -- or young oysters -- are transferred to the sea.
—Arkansas Online, 1 Dec. 2025
The show famously incubated several high-profile inter-cast relationships, including one between Green and Thiessen that lasted from 1992 to 1995.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for incubate
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Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Dec. 2025
Entrepreneur and producer Jack Davis has launched Tamarisk Lane, a new holding company that will invest in early-stage consumer brands, incubate new ventures, and advise major media and entertainment partners on strategy and growth.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 3 Dec. 2025
After being artificially fertilized and incubated in tanks, the spat -- or young oysters -- are transferred to the sea.
—Arkansas Online, 1 Dec. 2025
The show famously incubated several high-profile inter-cast relationships, including one between Green and Thiessen that lasted from 1992 to 1995.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for incubate
Cite this Entry
“Incubate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incubate. Accessed 11 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
incubate
verb
in·cu·bate
ˈiŋ-kyə-ˌbāt
ˈin-
incubated; incubating
1
: to sit on eggs to hatch them by warmth
2
: to maintain (as bacteria or a chemically active system) under conditions good for development or reaction
3
: to go through the process of incubation
Medical Definition
incubate
verb
in·cu·bate
ˈiŋ-kyə-ˌbāt, ˈin-
incubated; incubating
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
: to undergo incubation
the cultures incubated for five days
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