Definition of gestation
1 : the carrying of young in the uterus (see uterus 1) : pregnancy
2 : conception (see conception 3) and development especially in the mind
Explore M-W
Examples of gestation in a Sentence
the gestation of new ideas
The book has been in gestation for a long time.
Recent Examples of gestation from the Web
-
The plan requires far less capital than competitors and promises a shorter gestation period before profitability.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'gestation'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of gestation
Latin gestation-, gestatio, from gestare to bear, frequentative of gerere to bear
Other Embryology Terms
GESTATION Defined for English Language Learners
gestation
playDefinition of gestation for English Language Learners
-
: the time when a person or animal is developing inside its mother before it is born; also : the process of development that happens during this time
-
: the process by which something (such as an idea) forms and develops
Medical Dictionary
Learn More about gestation
-
See words that rhyme with gestation Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for gestation Spanish Central: Translation of gestation Nglish: Translation of gestation for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of gestation for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about gestation
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up gestation? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!