incubation

[ in-kyuh-bey-shuhn, ing- ]

/ ˌɪn kyəˈbeɪ ʃən, ˌɪŋ- /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for incubation on Thesaurus.com

noun

the act or process of incubating.

the state of being incubated.

incubation period.

QUIZ

QUIZ YOURSELF ON "IS" VS. "ARE"

"Is" it time for a new quiz? "Are" you ready? Then prove your excellent skills on using "is" vs. "are."

Question 1 of 7

IS and ARE are both forms of which verb?

have

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of incubation

First recorded in 1605–15, incubation is from the Latin word incubātiōn- (stem of incubātiō). See incubate, -ion

OTHER WORDS FROM incubation

in·cu·ba·tion·al, in·cu·ba·to·ry

[in-kyuh-buh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee, ing-], /ˈɪn kyə bəˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i, ˈɪŋ-/, adjective

Words nearby incubation

incrossbred, in-crowd, incrust, incrustation, incubate, incubation, incubation patch, incubation period, incubative stage, incubator, incubous

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use incubation in a sentence

After six months of incubation, the firm invests in the teams they can help further.
How Antler East Africa is building early-stage startups with experienced professionals|Tage Kene-Okafor|February 19, 2021|TechCrunch
Citing concerns about the spread of the coronavirus, which has an incubation period of two to 14 days, health officials said the information would speed efforts to reach travelers if they were exposed to the virus.
Delta Air Lines launches effort to improve contact tracing on international flights|Lori Aratani|December 4, 2020|Washington Post
A group of international researchers, led by scientists at the University of Sydney, have mapped out the cities that offer the ripest conditions for the incubation of viruses that could jump from animals to humans—and then spread around the world.
These megacities could become breeding grounds for the next pandemic, scientists say|kdunn6|November 27, 2020|Fortune
This virus has a 14-day incubation period, which means that you can still be infected without the virus being detectable by a test.
The fight over plexiglass dividers at the VP debate is a microcosm of Pence’s coronavirus failures|Aaron Rupar|October 7, 2020|Vox

The incubation period of this virus is still variable, depending on your individual biology, according to a recent study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
How long does it take to find out if you’ve been exposed to coronavirus?|Sy Mukherjee|August 31, 2020|Fortune
And Sherriff and baby Agnes had passed the 21 days incubation period, proving they had not contracted Ebola.
The Life of a Liberian Child with Ebola|Sarah Crowe|November 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Of course, there are real rules to Ebola, and they have to do with incubation periods, bodily fluids, and other scientific facts.
Liberian Pastors Blame Ebola on Gays, The Right Blames Obama|Jay Michaelson|October 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Given the incubation period of the virus, we should know by the end of the week.
What Ebola on a Plane Means for the U.S.|Kent Sepkowitz|August 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Most cases of Ebola occur after a brief one- to three-day incubation period.
Two Americans Have Now Been Diagnosed With Ebola in Record Outbreak|Kent Sepkowitz|July 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Onset is typically during middle age, which is characteristic of the long incubation periods most prion diseases show.
Necrotizing Fasciitis, Blinding Larvae & More Scary Diseases|Casey Schwartz|May 18, 2012|DAILY BEAST
The incubation period was twelve days; during that time it gave no sign.
Islands of Space|John W Campbell
He may breed in a tree over the farmer's or fisherman's door without the slightest danger of being disturbed in his incubation.
Popular Adventure Tales|Mayne Reid
The period of incubation is about five weeks, and male and female take turns at sitting.
The Home of the Blizzard|Douglas Mawson
These, however admirable, are far from being all the wonders displayed in the progress of incubation.
The Book of Curiosities|I. Platts
One hundred and ninety hours after incubation, the beak opens, and flesh appears on the breast.
The Book of Curiosities|I. Platts

Medical definitions for incubation

incubation

[ ĭn′kyə-bā′shən, ĭng′- ]

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.

Scientific definitions for incubation

incubation

[ ĭn′kyə-bā′shən ]

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.

Other words from incubation

incubate verb

incubation

Origin of incubation

OTHER WORDS FROM incubation

Words nearby incubation

Words related to incubation

How to use incubation in a sentence

Medical definitions for incubation

Scientific definitions for incubation

Other words from incubation