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

• family way
• gravidity
• 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

Then have the announcer cover the side effects, a list that takes longer to recite than the gestation period of an elephant. —Jim Martin, Denver Post, 21 June 2025

After a long gestation period, the sci-fi shooter reemerged at the Summer Game Fest alongside Onimusha: Way of the Sword and Resident Evil Requiem. —Zackery Cuevas, PC Magazine, 11 June 2025

This June 3, after 27 years in gestation, Random House will publish Sam’s Buckley: The Life and the Revolution That Changed America. —Neal B. Freeman, National Review, 13 May 2025

In April 2022, Krystal DeVos gave birth to her daughter Eliana at just 23 weeks of gestation. —Vanessa Etienne, People.com, 6 June 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