incubate

verb

in·​cu·​bate ˈiŋ-kyə-ˌbāt 

ˈin-

incubated; incubating

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

1

: to sit on eggs

2

: to undergo incubation : develop

incubative

ˈiŋ-kyə-ˌbā-tiv 

ˈin-

adjective

incubatory

ˈiŋ-kyə-bə-ˌtȯr-ē 

-ˌbā-tə-rē

ˈin-

adjective

Synonyms

• brood
• hatch
• set
• sit

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

Meanwhile, for the independent watchmakers incubated by La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton, the novelties imagined by master watchmakers Enrico Barbasini and Michel Navas highlighted each brand’s forte. —Lily Templeton, WWD, 21 Jan. 2025

In 2016, Thrive Santa Ana was born, a land trust that incubates businesses in a tiny enclave of Santa Ana’s Casa Bonita neighborhood, at the intersection of West Walnut Street and South Daisy Avenue. —Pat Maio, Orange County Register, 15 Jan. 2025

Emerging markets often have untapped potential and can incubate creative business models with the right blend of innovation, adaptability and local knowledge. —Djasur Djumaev, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025

The Trade Desk incubated Unified ID 2.0, a cookie-less ad-targeting framework, several years ago as an alternative to internet tracking cookies. —Sara Fischer, Axios, 20 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin incubatus, past participle of incubare, from in- + cubare to lie

First Known Use

1641, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Kids 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

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

: to undergo incubation

the cultures incubated for five days