incubation period

noun

: the period between the infection of an individual by a pathogen and the manifestation of the illness or disease it causes

Examples of incubation period in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The 21-day period reflects the virus’ maximum incubation period, the time between exposure and symptoms starting, the CDC said. — Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2026

Those eggs are nearing the end of their 45- to 60-day incubation period, and may hatch any day. — Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026

Children are contagious before the rash appears, and each case has an incubation period of up to three weeks. — Katrine L. Wallace, The Conversation, 30 Oct. 2026

The incubation period for pneumonic plague — the disease's most virulent form — can be as short as 24 hours, according to the WHO. — ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1879, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for incubation period

• myriad
• photoperiod

Kids Definition

incubation period

noun

1

: the period of brooding or incubating required to bring an egg to hatching

2

: the period between infection with a germ and the appearance of the disease or illness it causes

Medical Definition

incubation period

noun

: the period between the infection of an individual by a pathogen and the manifestation of the disease it causes

Mono, which has an incubation period of 30 to 50 days, characteristically announces itself with headaches, fever, sore throat, tonsillitis, and extreme fatigue.

—Your Health & Fitness

Quarantines worked to control the SARS epidemic because SARS is much less contagious than flu and has a longer incubation period.

—Christine Gorman, Time