incubator
noun
in·cu·ba·tor
ˈiŋ-kyə-ˌbā-tər 
ˈin-
: one that incubates: such as
a
: an apparatus by which eggs are hatched artificially
b
: an apparatus with a chamber used to provide controlled environmental conditions especially for the cultivation of microorganisms or the care and protection of premature or sick babies
c
: an organization or place that aids the development of new business ventures especially by providing low-cost commercial space, management assistance, or shared services
Examples of incubator in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The plan is for the incubator to host a new cohort of 10 businesses every year going forward.
—
Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 20 Feb. 2026
Homeworld is a global IP incubator founded by Swart and Cosby as well as Mike Ikeda, Tai Truesdell, and Nick Rathod.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 20 Feb. 2026
Gambling on the future Fortinsky started working on Novig in 2021 during his senior year at Harvard with cofounder Kelechi Ukah, entering the tech incubator Y Combinator the following year.
—Leo Schwartz, Fortune, 18 Feb. 2026
Mexico will be out in force at the 12th edition of the Doha Film Institute’s annual project and talent incubator Qumra, running from March 27 to April 1.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for incubator
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 20 Feb. 2026
Homeworld is a global IP incubator founded by Swart and Cosby as well as Mike Ikeda, Tai Truesdell, and Nick Rathod.
—Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 20 Feb. 2026
Gambling on the future Fortinsky started working on Novig in 2021 during his senior year at Harvard with cofounder Kelechi Ukah, entering the tech incubator Y Combinator the following year.
—Leo Schwartz, Fortune, 18 Feb. 2026
Mexico will be out in force at the 12th edition of the Doha Film Institute’s annual project and talent incubator Qumra, running from March 27 to April 1.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for incubator
Cite this Entry
“Incubator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incubator. Accessed 28 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
incubator
noun
in·cu·ba·tor
ˈiŋ-kyə-ˌbāt-ər
ˈin-
: one that incubates
especially
: a piece of equipment providing suitable conditions (as of warmth and moisture) for incubating something
an incubator for premature babies
Medical Definition
incubator
noun
in·cu·ba·tor
ˈiŋ-kyə-ˌbāt-ər, ˈin-
: one that incubates
especially
: an apparatus with a chamber used to provide controlled environmental conditions especially for the cultivation of microorganisms or the care and protection of premature or sick babies
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
