incubate
verb
in·cu·bate
ˈiŋ-kyə-ˌbāt 
ˈin-
incubated; incubating
1
a
: to sit on (eggs) so as to hatch by the warmth of the body
b
: to maintain (something, such as an embryo or a chemically active system) under conditions favorable for hatching, development, or reaction
2
: to cause or aid the development of
incubate an idea
Examples of incubate in a Sentence
The female bird incubates the eggs.
Researchers incubated the cells in the laboratory.
The cultures must incubate for five more days.
The virus will incubate in the body for several days before the patient experiences any symptoms.
Recent Examples on the Web
That ambition underpins the firm’s latest project: the new home of the Bushwick Starr, a beloved New York City theater dedicated to incubating emerging talent and engaging community.
—
Hannah Martin, Architectural Digest, 15 Oct. 2024
When applied directly to a fabric and left to incubate, the bacteria cells produce a compound in a spectrum ranging from reds and pinks to blues and purples—in eye-catching patterns that evoke the grain of polished marble.
—Delle Chan, WIRED, 3 Oct. 2024
These complex structures, sometimes meticulously assembled for more than a month, tend to be used for the express purposes of incubating eggs and raising young.
—Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Sep. 2024
But the people who did the actual hands-on work of incubating the eggs and hand-feeding the chicks around the clock were a dedicated team of aviculturists and bird keepers.
—Grrlscientist, Forbes, 25 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for incubate 
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Hannah Martin, Architectural Digest, 15 Oct. 2024
When applied directly to a fabric and left to incubate, the bacteria cells produce a compound in a spectrum ranging from reds and pinks to blues and purples—in eye-catching patterns that evoke the grain of polished marble.
—Delle Chan, WIRED, 3 Oct. 2024
These complex structures, sometimes meticulously assembled for more than a month, tend to be used for the express purposes of incubating eggs and raising young.
—Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Sep. 2024
But the people who did the actual hands-on work of incubating the eggs and hand-feeding the chicks around the clock were a dedicated team of aviculturists and bird keepers.
—Grrlscientist, Forbes, 25 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for incubate
Dictionary Entries Near incubate
Cite this Entry
“Incubate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incubate. Accessed 16 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
incubate
verb
in·cu·bate
ˈiŋ-kyə-ˌbāt
ˈin-
incubated; incubating
1
: to sit on eggs to hatch them by warmth
2
: to maintain (as bacteria or a chemically active system) under conditions good for development or reaction
3
: to go through the process of incubation
Medical Definition
incubate
verb
in·cu·bate
ˈiŋ-kyə-ˌbāt, ˈin-
incubated; incubating
1
: to maintain (as eggs, embryos of animals, or bacteria) under prescribed and usually controlled conditions favorable for hatching or development especially in an incubator
2
: to maintain (a chemically active system) under controlled conditions for the development of a reaction
: to undergo incubation
the cultures incubated for five days
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