incubation

noun

in·​cu·​ba·​tion ˌiŋ-kyə-ˈbā-shən How to pronounce incubation (audio)
ˌin-
1
: the act or process of incubating
2

Examples of incubation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But there’s also the purchase offer to buy the land from the city, with the rest of the funding going toward technical assistance, incubation of the small businesses, coaching and support for business development for the cooperatives on the site. Pat Maio, Orange County Register, 15 Jan. 2025 Bald eagle eggs typically hatch after 35 days of incubation, according to the East Tennessee State University. Helena Wegner, Sacramento Bee, 20 Feb. 2025 The male fertilizes these eggs, then takes them into his mouth for incubation. Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025 From new fund managers to incubation experts, these young venture capitalists are funding the future, one tech startup at a time. Alex Konrad, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for incubation

Word History

First Known Use

1646, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of incubation was in 1646

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Incubation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incubation. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

incubation

noun
in·​cu·​ba·​tion ˌiŋ-kyə-ˈbā-shən How to pronounce incubation (audio)
ˌin-
1
: the act or process of incubating
2

Medical Definition

incubation

noun
in·​cu·​ba·​tion ˌiŋ-kyə-ˈbā-shən, ˌin- How to pronounce incubation (audio)
1
: the act or process of incubating
2
incubational adjective
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