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

Grove Biopharma started in a small space run by tech incubator Portal Innovations at 1375 W. Fulton Market, a 13-story life sciences building, and just moved to 17,000 square feet at 400 N. Aberdeen St. —Brian J. Rogal, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2025

For example, New York has an Innovation Hot Spot (IHS) program that provides tax benefits to early-stage companies in certified incubators. —Cindy McGhee, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025

An article in The Journal of Technology Transfer once found that startups that participated in university incubators created more jobs and sales than their private and nonprofit counterparts. —Ira Porter, Christian Science Monitor, 22 Apr. 2025

The legendary Cave Canem organization has become an incubator for some of the finest Black American poets of the past 30 years. —Lorraine Berry, Los Angeles Times, 19 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