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

The woman was in the bathroom when the child was born at what was later determined to be 23 to 26 weeks of gestation and weighing about 2 lbs., Chappell tells PEOPLE. —Hilary Shenfeld, People.com, 5 Jan. 2025

The current law bans abortions after six weeks of gestation, a.k.a. —Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 1 Nov. 2024

By the numbers: The rate of preterm births, defined as those happening before week 37 of gestation, was 9.2% across California in 2023, according to the report. —Kate Murphy, Axios, 10 Dec. 2024

To understand the links between PM 2.5 and birth outcomes on a cellular level, the researchers collected blood samples from 168 pregnant participants living in Fresno, Calif., at 20 weeks of gestation. —Sharon Udasin, The Hill, 29 Nov. 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