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

• family way
• gravidity
• 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

In 2021, the state had passed a law known as S.B. 8, banning nearly all abortions after electrical activity is detected in fetal cells, which typically happens around the sixth week of gestation. —Stephania Taladrid, The New Yorker, 25 Nov. 2024

With a gestation period of only about 20 days, mice can reproduce incredibly quickly, and many of the females arrived already pregnant. —Gabriella Rudy, NBC News, 18 Nov. 2024

Some babies can survive with medical help after 21 weeks of gestation. —Todd Richmond, Chicago Tribune, 11 Nov. 2024

For instance, even among the cohort born into a world without rationing, people who spent at least part of their gestation period under restrictions had a 15% lower lifetime risk of type 2 diabetes. —Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 31 Oct. 2024

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

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