gestation

noun

ges·​ta·​tion je-ˈstā-shən 

1

: the carrying of young in the uterus (see uterus sense 1) : pregnancy

2

: conception (see conception sense 3) and development especially in the mind

gestational

je-ˈstā-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

Synonyms

• pregnancy

Examples of gestation in a Sentence

the gestation of new ideas

The book has been in gestation for a long time.

Recent Examples on the Web

When temperatures remain at or above 75 degrees Fahrenheit overnight, there is a 4% increase in preterm births — babies born before 37 weeks, instead of the full-term gestation of at least 39 weeks — in the days that follow, according to research conducted by the Heat Policy Innovation Hub. —Jessica Meszaros, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2025

This afternoon, during a press conference, the filmmaker said the long-gestation project took the same amount of time to complete due to a lack of funds. —Zac Ntim, Deadline, 29 Aug. 2025

Observing later-stage wounds (stages three and four) provided evidence that these same sites also function as gestation habitats. —Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025

The researchers used a mouse model with in vitro fertilization (IVF) and embryo transfer to separate the two time periods, pre-pregnancy and gestation. —New Atlas, 16 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin gestation-, gestatio, from gestare to bear, frequentative of gerere to bear

First Known Use

1615, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for gestation

• ablation
• bination
• carnation
• cassation
• castration
• causation
• centration
• cessation
• cetacean
• chelation
• citation
• collation

Kids Definition

gestation

noun

ges·​ta·​tion je-ˈstā-shən 

: the carrying of young in the uterus : pregnancy

Medical Definition

gestation

noun

ges·​ta·​tion je-ˈstā-shən 

1

: the carrying of young in the uterus from conception to delivery : pregnancy

2

: gestation period

gestational

-shnəl, -shən-ᵊl 

adjective