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

Mpox symptoms Mpox symptoms start within 21 days of exposure to the virus with a typical incubation, or symptom-free, period of three to 17 days, according to the CDC and WHO. —Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 17 Oct. 2025

Such heat shortens the parasite’s incubation time inside mosquitoes, increasing the odds of transmission. —Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Oct. 2025

The grand prize included mentorship from the sustainable materials science company Pangaia, complimentary office space in London, and incubation by The Mills Fabrica. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 29 Sep. 2025

All finalists gain access to potential Basque Country funding of up to €500,000 ($585,000) and free incubation space at regional innovation hubs. —Callum McLennan, Variety, 26 Sep. 2025

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