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
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
Because pandas' gestation periods are short, babies are born small, weighing just a few ounces.
—CBS News, 7 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gestation
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
Because pandas' gestation periods are short, babies are born small, weighing just a few ounces.
—CBS News, 7 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gestation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gestation
pregnancy
Noun
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Under Republican leadership, women who have pregnancy complications are dying.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
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Hendricks had developed preeclampsia, a potentially fatal complication of pregnancy involving damage to the blood vessels and high amounts of fluid loss.—
Ari Daniel,
NPR,
14 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gestation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gestation. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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