Definition of incubate
incubated
;incubating
transitive verb
1a : to sit on (eggs) so as to hatch by the warmth of the bodyb : 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
From the M-W Editors
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 of incubate from the Web
-
Her Emerson Collective invests in companies, incubates businesses and operates philanthropic campaigns.
-
Because pelicans incubate their eggs by essentially standing on them, the eggs would crack under the parents' feet.
-
Recently, PCH, through its Highway 1 program, has incubated Cue, a smart at-home medical device; Flic, an open-source tactile button for controlling digital apps; and the Drop Smart Scale.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'incubate'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of incubate
Latin incubatus, past participle of incubare, from in- + cubare to lie
First Known Use: 1641
INCUBATE Defined for English Language Learners
incubate
playDefinition of incubate for English Language Learners
-
of a bird : to sit on eggs so that they will be kept warm and will hatch
-
of an egg : to be kept warm before hatching
-
: to keep (something) in the proper conditions for development
INCUBATE Defined for Kids
incubate
playDefinition of incubate for Students
incubated
;incubating
1 : to sit upon eggs to hatch them by warmth
2 : to keep under conditions good for hatching or development
Medical Dictionary
incubate
playMedical Definition of incubate
incubated
;incubating
1
transitive verb
: to maintain (as eggs, embryos of animals, or bacteria) under prescribed and usually controlled conditions favorable for hatching or development especially in an incubator2: 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
Learn More about incubate
-
See words that rhyme with incubate Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for incubate Spanish Central: Translation of incubate Nglish: Translation of incubate for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of incubate for Arabic speakers
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up incubate? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!