incubation period

American  

noun

Pathology.

1. the period between infection and the appearance of signs of a disease.

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incubation period British  

noun

1. Sometimes shortened to: incubation.  med the time between exposure to an infectious disease and the appearance of the first signs or symptoms

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incubation period Cultural  

1. The amount of time it takes for symptoms of a disease to appear after an individual is infected (see infection) with the pathogen that causes the disease.

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Etymology

Origin of incubation period

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

Allen is concerned that the improper guidance could lead to people who are now home under self-quarantine taking their quarantine less seriously than they should—particularly with the incubation period being up to 42 days.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 16, 2026

With hantavirus, the incubation period can take up to six weeks, so people must be isolated for a really long time to ensure they won’t get sick and start infecting others.

From Slate • May 16, 2026

The virus has a potential incubation period of 42 days.

From Barron's • May 15, 2026

“Of course, the situation could change, and given the long incubation period of the virus, it’s possible we might see more cases in the coming weeks.”

From MarketWatch • May 12, 2026

I wondered what the incubation period was for tetanus or—or for rabies.

From "Kindred" by Octavia Butler