incubate

verb

in·​cu·​bate ˈiŋ-kyə-ˌbāt 

ˈin-

incubated; incubating

transitive verb

1

a

: to sit on (eggs) so as to hatch by the warmth of the body

b

: to maintain (something, such as an embryo or a chemically active system) under conditions favorable for hatching, development, or reaction

2

: to cause or aid the development of

incubate an idea

intransitive verb

1

: to sit on eggs

2

: to undergo incubation : develop

incubative

ˈiŋ-kyə-ˌbā-tiv 

ˈin-

adjective

incubatory

ˈiŋ-kyə-bə-ˌtȯr-ē 

-ˌbā-tə-rē

ˈin-

adjective

Synonyms

• brood
• hatch
• set
• sit

Examples of incubate in a Sentence

The female bird incubates the eggs.

Researchers incubated the cells in the laboratory.

The cultures must incubate for five more days.

The virus will incubate in the body for several days before the patient experiences any symptoms.

Recent Examples on the Web

And more recently, as an investor, he’s put money into and incubated more than 40 cybersecurity startups, all of which are based in Israel. —Michal Lev-Ram, Fortune, 1 Nov. 2023

In 1952, Disney formed WED Enterprises as a kind of creative think tank that could incubate the possibilities for the park. —Adam B. Vary, Variety, 11 Oct. 2023

For years, the U.S.-backed government in Kabul blamed Pakistan for helping incubate the Taliban and enabling its militancy. —Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 6 Nov. 2023

Taking that time to incubate yourself to be ready for this world. —Essence, 1 Nov. 2023

These enterprises offer long-term solutions to pressing global challenges – a benefit that cannot be ignored – but deep tech innovations require significant time for research and development, often incubating for years before reaching the market. —IEEE Spectrum, 22 Oct. 2023

External fetus incubating pods are already being researched too. —Ashley McClure, National Review, 21 Oct. 2023

To current and former staffers who spoke with Hot Pod, the cancellations feel like a step back from the studio’s original purpose — to incubate and produce both radio shows and podcasts for a national audience. —Amrita Khalid, The Verge, 11 Oct. 2023

When the family reached the hospital, Corey was incubated and put under anesthesia. —Eshaan Sarup, The Arizona Republic, 9 Sep. 2023

See More

Word History

Etymology

Latin incubatus, past participle of incubare, from in- + cubare to lie

First Known Use

1641, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Kids Definition

incubate

verb

in·​cu·​bate ˈiŋ-kyə-ˌbāt 

ˈin-

incubated; incubating

1

: to sit on eggs to hatch them by warmth

2

: to maintain (as bacteria or a chemically active system) under conditions good for development or reaction

3

: to go through the process of incubation

Medical Definition

incubate

verb

in·​cu·​bate ˈiŋ-kyə-ˌbāt, ˈin- 

incubated; incubating

transitive verb

1

: to maintain (as eggs, embryos of animals, or bacteria) under prescribed and usually controlled conditions favorable for hatching or development especially in an incubator

2

: to maintain (a chemically active system) under controlled conditions for the development of a reaction

intransitive verb

: to undergo incubation

the cultures incubated for five days