gestate

verb

ges·​tate ˈje-ˌstāt 

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

The record didn’t gestate over years of tinkering with demos. — Jonathan Cohen, SPIN, 6 July 2026

Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock reprise their roles as witchy sisters Gillian and Sally Owens in the long-gestating sequel. — Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 24 June 2026

In fact, Gilligan very deliberately changed course on the long-gestating sci-fi project that would eventually become Pluribus, pivoting from a male lead to instead shaping the role especially for Seehorn. — Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 13 June 2026

Later this month, Pope Leo XIV will visit Barcelona’s famed Sagrada Familia to inaugurate and bless the Tower of Jesus Christ, the final tower of the long-gestating church. — Harrison Jacobs, ARTnews.com, 4 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

back-formation from gestation

First Known Use

1858, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for gestate

• abate
• airfreight
• await
• baseplate
• berate
• birthdate
• birthrate
• bookplate
• borate
• breastplate
• bromate
• casemate

Medical Definition

gestate

verb

ges·​tate ˈjes-ˌtāt 

gestated; gestating

transitive verb

: to carry in the uterus during pregnancy

intransitive verb

: to be in the process of gestation