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

Stripe was one of tech incubator Y Combinator’s breakout companies, and in 2015, Patrick Collison introduced Brockman to Altman, who was president of Y Combinator at the time. —Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2025

Presented by Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana (CNMI), The Fashion Hub — a global fashion incubator and meeting place — promoted the new generation of designers with a multitude of initiatives and activities with garments displayed in vignettes. —Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2025

The venture, created in partnership with production companies KawanKawan Media and DW, revives the spirit of La Factory – a filmmaker incubator that ran at Directors’ Fortnight beginning in 2013. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 23 Oct. 2025

In the future, the space will host events, meetings, weddings in its spacious courtyard, and, down the road, a community kitchen downstairs that will serve as an incubator for startup food businesses. —Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 20 Oct. 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