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

DanceWorks Chicago, a longtime incubator that wrote the book on springboarding early career performers, plans to sunset at the end of the year, aligned with founding artistic director Julie Nakagawa’s retirement. —Lauren Warnecke, Chicago Tribune, 3 Sep. 2025

The ecological assessment tool estimates a product’s impact—based on criteria like weight and composition—developed as an open-source tool within the framework of the various French constitutional digital incubators and accelerators. —Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 3 Sep. 2025

DeMuth’s journey into manufacturing innovation began not in a startup incubator, but at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. —Matthew Kayser, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025

His last film, TRANS HEAVEN, PENNSYLVANIA, was supported by the Creative Hope Initiative, an incubator for LGBTQ+ filmmakers sponsored by Traverse32 and Outfest. —Matthew Carey, Deadline, 2 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