incubation

[ in-kyuh-bey-shuh n, ing- ]

/ ˌɪn kyəˈbeɪ ʃən, ˌɪŋ- /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR incubation ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the act or process of incubating.

the state of being incubated.

incubation period.

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Nearby words

Origin of incubation

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

Related formsin·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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for incubation

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

Usually they will be dried so that they can be moved on the afternoon of the 28th day of incubation.
Ducks and Geese|Harry M. Lamon
Among birds the parental instinct increases as incubation proceeds.
Glimpses of Indian Birds|Douglas Dewar
After incubation has commenced the males remain in separate packs during summer, and take no share in domestic duties.
Wild Spain (Espaa agreste)|Abel Chapman
She now immediately enters upon the process of incubation, and after twelve days of close sitting, brings forth her tender brood.
Nests and Eggs of Birds of The United States|Thomas G. Gentry
In 1956, three fertile eggs, from clutches that were at different stages of incubation, were immersed in water for 48 hours.
Natural History of the Ornate Box Turtle, Terrapene ornata ornata Agassiz|John M. Legler

Word Origin and History for incubation

incubation

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.

Medicine definitions for incubation

incubation

[ ĭn′kyə-bā′shən, ĭng′- ]

n.

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.

Science 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.

Related formsincubate verb