incubate

[in-kyuh-beyt, ing-]

verb (used with object)

incubated, incubating 

1. to sit upon (eggs) for the purpose of hatching.

2. to hatch (eggs), as by sitting upon them or by artificial heat.

3. to maintain at a favorable temperature and in other conditions promoting development, as cultures of bacteria or prematurely born infants.

4. to develop or produce as if by hatching; give form to.

   His brain was incubating schemes for raising money.

verb (used without object)

incubated, incubating 

1. to sit upon eggs.

2. to undergo incubation.

3. to develop; grow; take form.

   A plan was slowly incubating in her mind.

incubate

/ ˈɪnkjʊˌbeɪt /

verb

1. (of birds) to supply (eggs) with heat for their development, esp by sitting on them

2. to cause (eggs, embryos, bacteria, etc) to develop, esp in an incubator or culture medium

3. (intr) (of eggs, embryos, bacteria, etc) to develop in favourable conditions, esp in an incubator

4. (intr) (of disease germs) to remain inactive in an animal or human before causing disease

5. to develop or cause to develop gradually; foment or be fomented

Other Word Forms

• incubative adjective
• unincubated adjective
• incubational adjective
• incubation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of incubate¹

First recorded in 1635–45; from Latin incubātus, past participle of incubāre “to lie or recline on, to sit on (eggs),” equivalent to in- “in” + cub(āre) “to sit, lie down” + -ātus past participle suffix; in- ², -ate ¹. incumbent, concubine

Word History and Origins

Origin of incubate¹

C18: from Latin incubāre to lie upon, hatch, from _in- ² + cubāre to lie down

Example Sentences

Yet the festival, the labs and the institute have remained a constant through it all, continuing to incubate fresh talent to launch to the industry.

From Los Angeles Times

The years of the American Revolution were incubated in violence.

From Salon

"We do generally think that both males and females take care of incubating the egg, and they also take care of feeding the chick."

From Salon

Each parent takes turns incubating the eggs over a monthlong period, according to the beaches department.

From Los Angeles Times

“The Department of State is reviewing all agency programs, contracts and grants that promote or incubate gender ideology,” Nagy wrote to employees of the State Department.

From Salon