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

And more recently in April, outdoor specialty retailer Backcountry acquired Coalatree for an undisclosed price as part of its new venture, the Backcountry Garage incubation platform. —Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 17 June 2026

On the talent development front, SIFF’s Three-Pillar system – anchored by SIFF PROJECT, SIFF ING and SIFF YOUNG – is designed to shepherd filmmakers from project incubation through to international exposure. —Marcus Lim, Variety, 15 June 2026

Colossal recently announced its artificial egg platform — a first-of-its-kind incubation system capable of supporting complete avian embryo development outside a biological eggshell, from early embryo to hatch, without supplemental oxygen. —Dasha Shunina, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026

The district started a small-business incubation program in March 2022 to fill some of its empty spaces with mixed results. —Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 May 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