incubation

[ in-kyuh-bey-shuh n, ing- ]
/ ˌɪn kyəˈbeɪ ʃən, ˌɪŋ- /

noun

the act or process of incubating.
the state of being incubated.

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

Example sentences from the Web for incubation

Medical definitions for incubation

incubation
[ ĭn′kyə-bāshən, 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.

Scientific definitions for incubation

incubation
[ ĭn′kyə-bāshən ]

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