gestation

[ je-stey-shuhn ]

noun

1. the process, state, or period of gestating.

gestation

/ dʒɛˈsteɪ-; ˈdʒɛstətɪv; dʒɛˈsteɪʃən /

noun

1. 1. the development of the embryo of a viviparous mammal, between conception and birth: about 266 days in humans, 624 days in elephants, and 63 days in cats
   2. ( as modifier )

      gestation period

2. the development of an idea or plan in the mind
3. the period of such a development

gestation

/ jĕ-stā′shən /

1. The period of time spent in the uterus between conception and birth. Gestation in humans is about nine months.

Derived Forms

• gesˈtational, adjective
• ˈgestatory, adjective

Other Words From

• ges·tation·al ges·ta·tive [jes, -t, uh, -tiv, je-, stey, -], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of gestation¹

1525–35; < Latin gestātiōn- (stem of gestātiō ), equivalent to gestāt ( us ) ( gestate ) + -iōn- -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of gestation¹

C16: from Latin gestātiō a bearing, from gestāre to bear, frequentative of gerere to carry

Example Sentences

Sweden and Norway have eliminated the use of gestation crates, and Germany will phase them out by 2028.

From Vox

The number, which includes only deaths that occurred past 20 weeks of gestation, “is twice the background rate of what would be expected,” he said.

From Washington Post

The sixth week of gestation is so early in a pregnancy that many people aren’t even aware they are pregnant.

From Vox

Putting the timeline into context, it’s about 20 percent of a monkey’s gestation period.

From Singularity Hub 

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists defines as extremely preterm babies born before 28 weeks of gestation, the definition we employed.

From ProPublica

She had supported Stern when his own career had first been in gestation and then later in free-fall.

From The Daily Beast

He specifically defends the use of “gestation crates”— tiny pens where pregnant pigs live before giving birth.

From The Daily Beast

The term “gestation,” for instance, is derived from the Latin verb gestāre, used to describe a mammal carrying a burden.

From The Daily Beast

How, then, can gestation happen if no one is carrying the fetus?

From The Daily Beast

For the early Jewish sages, during the first 40 days of gestation, the fetus was nothing more than “mere fluid.”

From The Daily Beast

In which of the three quarters of the twelve months did the gestation of this conspiracy commence?

From Project Gutenberg

The time of gestation is to sixty-three days, and the number of the kittens varies much.

From Project Gutenberg

In the middle of gestation it turns yellow, then red and lastly black, with a red film.

From Project Gutenberg

In the season of love, and during the period of gestation, they are met with only in pairs—a male and female.

From Project Gutenberg

The duration of pregnancy, or the precise term of Utero Gestation, is not fixed.

From Project Gutenberg