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

Nests that are laid earlier stay cooler throughout their incubation. —Elizabeth Preston, Scientific American, 16 Dec. 2025

The annual business incubation program, hosted by the Downtown Sacramento Foundation, provides mentorship, startup funding and a potential storefront for emerging entrepreneurs. —Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 15 Dec. 2025

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, 10 Dec. 2025

The agreement also promises the development of a writers’ incubation lab designed to unearth a new generation of writers. —Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 22 Nov. 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