gestation

noun

ges·​ta·​tion je-ˈstā-shən How to pronounce gestation (audio)
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 adjective

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
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.
The spiny dogfish’s gestation period lasts about two years. Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 27 Mar. 2025 The researchers analyzed data from children born between January 2014 and December 2020, who were born after at least 35 weeks of gestation without severe morbidity and had at least one follow-up surveillance visit at two to three years of age. Kevin Sabet, Newsweek, 24 Mar. 2025 In what way? There was just this long gestation period. Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 8 Mar. 2025 Mice and humans share about 80% of the same genes, according to the Understanding Animal Research website, and laboratory mice are also good scientific subjects because of their short lifespan (about 2 years) and gestation period (19-21 days). Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 4 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for gestation

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of gestation was in 1615

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Gestation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gestation. Accessed 8 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

gestation

noun
ges·​ta·​tion je-ˈstā-shən How to pronounce gestation (audio)
: the carrying of young in the uterus : pregnancy

Medical Definition

gestation

noun
ges·​ta·​tion je-ˈstā-shən How to pronounce gestation (audio)
1
: the carrying of young in the uterus from conception to delivery : pregnancy
2
gestational adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on gestation

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