incubation

noun

in·​cu·​ba·​tion ˌiŋ-kyə-ˈbā-shən 

ˌin-

1

: the act or process of incubating

2

: incubation period

Examples of incubation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Nipah virus, though, has a long incubation rate, which allows the people who have been infected to be isolated and for the infected animals (usually pigs) who gave it to the humans to be culled. —Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 31 Jan. 2026

According to the American Eagle Foundation, bald eagles normally lay one to three eggs per year, with eggs hatching anywhere between 34 and 40 days after incubation. —Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 27 Jan. 2026

In a recent conversation for our Comedy Means Business podcast, Grey and Lantsman break down Stapleview’s evolution so far and make their case for the digital space as the future of talent incubation and content development. —Matt Grobar, Deadline, 26 Jan. 2026

Instead, the initiative is the incubation of a stand-alone brand rooted in nearly 80 years of retail history, that will first be integrated into Merci’s three locations, before opening in a stand-alone space this spring. —Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 15 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing incubation

• incubation period

Rhymes for incubation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

incubation

noun

in·​cu·​ba·​tion ˌiŋ-kyə-ˈbā-shən 

ˌin-

1

: the act or process of incubating

2

: incubation period

Medical Definition

incubation

noun

in·​cu·​ba·​tion ˌiŋ-kyə-ˈbā-shən, ˌin- 

1

: the act or process of incubating

2

: incubation period

incubational

-shnəl, -shən-ᵊl 

adjective