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

Joly and Solomon see this moment as a historic opportunity to turn Canada into an incubator of tech giants. —Phil Wahba, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2025

Four years in the Alabama incubator has its benefits. —Pete Sampson, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025

Initially, the studio operated as a creative incubator within Gap’s New York headquarters, producing one-of-a-kind pieces for red carpet events. —Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2025

The microdrama push underscores how Mediacorp is evolving from a traditional network into a multi-platform content and talent incubator. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 29 Sep. 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