as in pregnancy
the state of containing unborn young within the body
the length of gestation for the gray wolf is about 63 days
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Recent Examples of gestation
The pills are prescribed early in pregnancy, and are considered safe up to 10 weeks’ gestation.
—
Emily Brindley, Dallas Morning News, 27 Jan. 2026
Females normally birth two to four litters a year—their gestation period is only 15 to 22 days—and litter sizes can range from one to 13 young, though the average is around five to seven.
—Noel Kirkpatrick, Treehugger, 20 Jan. 2026
According to the medical center, Cryptic pregnancies are rare, with studies suggesting about 1 in 475 pregnancies go unnoticed until about 20 weeks gestation, while about 1 in 2,500 pregnancies go unnoticed until delivery.
—Clare Fisher, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
When commenced before 10 weeks’ gestation, the two-drug method is effective about 98% of the time.
—Rachel Rebouché, The Conversation, 10 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gestation
Emily Brindley, Dallas Morning News, 27 Jan. 2026
Females normally birth two to four litters a year—their gestation period is only 15 to 22 days—and litter sizes can range from one to 13 young, though the average is around five to seven.
—Noel Kirkpatrick, Treehugger, 20 Jan. 2026
According to the medical center, Cryptic pregnancies are rare, with studies suggesting about 1 in 475 pregnancies go unnoticed until about 20 weeks gestation, while about 1 in 2,500 pregnancies go unnoticed until delivery.
—Clare Fisher, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
When commenced before 10 weeks’ gestation, the two-drug method is effective about 98% of the time.
—Rachel Rebouché, The Conversation, 10 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gestation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gestation
pregnancy
Noun
-
Everyone has a unique pregnancy, childbirth, and medical history.—
Wendy Wisner,
Parents,
27 Feb. 2026
-
To finish up, Dana needs internal and external vaginal swabs, additional swabs in Ilana’s mouth, and then offers meds and information regarding STIs and pregnancy.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gestation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gestation. Accessed 6 Mar. 2026.
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