gestate

verb

ges·​tate ˈje-ˌstāt How to pronounce gestate (audio)
gestated; gestating

transitive verb

1
: to carry in the uterus during pregnancy
2
: to conceive and gradually develop in the mind

intransitive verb

: to be in the process of gestation

Examples of gestate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
While this project is slowly gestating, two prominent showrunners float Kaplan’s name as a supervising producer for their new show. Marc Weingarten, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2024 The final straw seems to be the threat of returning home for SAT prep courses on a Sunday, but while Penelope’s decision to leave at that exact moment may be impulsive, her decision to leave in general has been long gestating. Ben Travers, IndieWire, 24 Sep. 2024 It’s taken an age to get the gang back together—the follow-up film has long been gestating, and after production finally began, it was paused over the summer of 2023 as a result of the SAG-AFTRA strike. Radhika Seth, Vogue, 30 May 2024 Some of the demands have long been gestating and there’s plenty for the negotiators to get their teeth into. Max Goldbart, Deadline, 1 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for gestate 

Word History

Etymology

back-formation from gestation

First Known Use

1858, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of gestate was in 1858

Dictionary Entries Near gestate

Cite this Entry

“Gestate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gestate. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

gestate

verb
ges·​tate ˈjes-ˌtāt How to pronounce gestate (audio)
gestated; gestating

transitive verb

: to carry in the uterus during pregnancy

intransitive verb

: to be in the process of gestation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!