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

• 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

Isla died after the healthy, viable fetus in the 22nd week of gestation had no oxygen when the placenta tore and bled as a result of the crash, according to the suit. —Corina Vanek, AZCentral.com, 4 July 2025

Some babies can survive with medical help after 21 weeks of gestation. —Todd Richmond, Chicago Tribune, 2 July 2025

In Brooklyn, some estimates illustrate 13% of women who give birth prematurely (less than 37 weeks of gestation) live in high-poverty communities compared to a rate of 5.9% in low-poverty neighborhoods. —Natasha Williams, New York Daily News, 2 July 2025

The women's hospital will have a dedicated small baby team that focuses on the babies who are born prematurely at 22 to 25 weeks gestation. —Nicole Villalpando, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025

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

Rhymes for gestation

• ablation
• bination
• carnation
• cassation
• castration
• causation
• centration
• cessation
• cetacean
• chelation
• citation
• collation

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