1610s, "brooding," from Latin incubationem (nominative incubatio) "a laying upon eggs," noun of action from past participle stem of incubare "to hatch," literally "to lie on, rest on," from in- "on" (see in- (2)) + cubare "to lie" (see cubicle). The literal sense of "sitting on eggs to hatch them" first recorded in English 1640s.
The act of incubating or the state of being incubated.
The maintenance of controlled environmental conditions for the purpose of favoring the growth or development of microbial or tissue cultures.
The maintenance of an infant, especially a premature infant, in an environment of controlled temperature, humidity, and oxygen concentration in order to provide optimal conditions for growth and development.
The development of an infection from the time the pathogen enters the body until signs or symptoms first appear.
The act of warming eggs in order to hatch them, as by a bird sitting upon a clutch of eggs in a nest.
The act of keeping an organism, a cell, or cell culture in conditions favorable for growth and development.
The maintenance of an infant, especially one that is ill or born before the usual gestation period, in an environment of controlled temperature, humidity, and oxygen concentration in order to provide optimal conditions for growth and development.
The development of an infection from the time the pathogen enters the body until signs or symptoms first appear.
