gestate

verb

ges·​tate ˈje-ˌstāt How to pronounce gestate (audio)
gestated; gestating

transitive verb

1
: to carry in the uterus during pregnancy
2
: to conceive and gradually develop in the mind

intransitive verb

: to be in the process of gestation

Examples of gestate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Brown began researching robots and robotics, and slowly the story gestated in his mind. Marc Weingarten, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2025 When a female is pregnant, the baby gestates for about 203 days. Erin Clack, People.com, 1 June 2025 As Tesfaye has relayed many times, Hurry Up Tomorrow (the movie) was gestating long before Hurry Up Tomorrow (the album) was in the works. Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 16 May 2025 His second two terms [2011-2019], things had gestated a great deal. Ali Martin, Christian Science Monitor, 17 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for gestate

Word History

Etymology

back-formation from gestation

First Known Use

1858, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of gestate was in 1858

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gestate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gestate. Accessed 16 Jun. 2025.

Medical Definition

gestate

verb
ges·​tate ˈjes-ˌtāt How to pronounce gestate (audio)
gestated; gestating

transitive verb

: to carry in the uterus during pregnancy

intransitive verb

: to be in the process of gestation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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