incubator

noun

in·​cu·​ba·​tor ˈiŋ-kyə-ˌbā-tər 

ˈin-

: one that incubates: such as

a

: an apparatus by which eggs are hatched artificially

b

: an apparatus with a chamber used to provide controlled environmental conditions especially for the cultivation of microorganisms or the care and protection of premature or sick babies

c

: an organization or place that aids the development of new business ventures especially by providing low-cost commercial space, management assistance, or shared services

Examples of incubator in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In a high-stakes race for the future of the internet, three visionary web3 startups battle for investment at Demo Day, hoping to secure their place in the tech world’s most prestigious incubator. East Coast Premiere. —Matthew Carey, Deadline, 7 May 2025

On the first floor of the center are a reception area, an exam room the size of a large closet, an incubator for baby birds, a waterfowl room with a little pool, and a high-tech machine that can test blood samples for the presence of lead. —Ian Frazier, New Yorker, 5 May 2025

These programs function as incubators for the workforce that goes on to power the defense sector, the tech industry, and government research agencies. —Sarah Kreps, Foreign Affairs, 29 Apr. 2025

Miami is using the big-league club as an incubator for ideas. —Andy McCullough, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1857, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for incubator

• activator
• actuator
• agitator
• alligator
• allocator
• alternator
• animator
• annotator
• applicator
• arbitrator
• aspirator
• aviator

Kids Definition

incubator

noun

in·​cu·​ba·​tor ˈiŋ-kyə-ˌbāt-ər 

ˈin-

: one that incubates

especially : a piece of equipment providing suitable conditions (as of warmth and moisture) for incubating something

an incubator for premature babies

Medical Definition

incubator

noun

in·​cu·​ba·​tor ˈiŋ-kyə-ˌbāt-ər, ˈin- 

: one that incubates

especially : an apparatus with a chamber used to provide controlled environmental conditions especially for the cultivation of microorganisms or the care and protection of premature or sick babies