gestation

noun

ges·​ta·​tion je-ˈstā-shən 

1

: the carrying of young in the uterus (see uterus sense 1) : pregnancy

2

: conception (see conception sense 3) and development especially in the mind

gestational

je-ˈstā-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

Synonyms

• family way
• gravidity
• pregnancy

Examples of gestation in a Sentence

the gestation of new ideas

The book has been in gestation for a long time.

Recent Examples on the Web

As is typical with new Tesla models, the stainless steel pickup's gestation was anything but easy. —Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 12 Aug. 2024

Her fetus was estimated to be at 25 to 28 weeks gestation, according to the Franklin County Coroner’s Office. —Eric Levenson, CNN, 13 Aug. 2024

As a new Blade film continues its long gestation process, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige is offering a bit of insight into the company’s approach for the reboot. —Ryan Gajewski, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 July 2024

This gave me the naive assumption that an uneventful gestation would be followed by an equally undramatic delivery. —Brigid Washington, Bon Appétit, 24 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin gestation-, gestatio, from gestare to bear, frequentative of gerere to bear

First Known Use

1615, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

gestation

noun

ges·​ta·​tion je-ˈstā-shən 

: the carrying of young in the uterus : pregnancy

Medical Definition

gestation

noun

ges·​ta·​tion je-ˈstā-shən 

1

: the carrying of young in the uterus from conception to delivery : pregnancy

2

: gestation period

gestational

-shnəl, -shən-ᵊl 

adjective