gestation

American  

[je-stey-shuhn] / dʒɛˈsteɪ ʃən /

noun

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

---

gestation British  

/ ˈdʒɛstətɪv, dʒɛˈsteɪ-, 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 Scientific  

/ jĕ-stā′shən /

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

---

Other Word Forms

• gestational adjective
• gestative adjective
• gestatory adjective

Etymology

Origin of gestation

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

Example Sentences

Female maned wolves are only fertile for approximately five days a year, according to the Smithsonian's National Zoo, and have a gestation period of 65 days.

From BBC

RSV immunizations are recommended for everyone age 75 and up, babies younger than 8 months, and pregnant women between 32 weeks to 36 weeks of gestation.

From Los Angeles Times

It turns out the song had a troubled gestation as the pressure of following up Raye's Mercury Prize-nominated album 21st Century Blues hit home.

From BBC

Very young babies rely on antibodies acquired during gestation and herd immunity to protect them from measles, which killed roughly 400 children every year in the U.S. before the combined MMR vaccine’s introduction in 1971.

From Los Angeles Times

Birth certificates are not issued for babies born before 24 weeks gestation.

From BBC