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.
And the drug was approved for the termination of a pregnancy up to 10 weeks of gestation in 2016. Alejandra O’Connell-Domenech, The Hill, 19 May 2025 Family of woman on life support wishes for a choice Smith is expected to remain on life support through at least 32 weeks of gestation, when the fetus has a good chance of survival outside the womb, Newkirk told 11Alive. Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 15 May 2025 Use of marijuana during pregnancy was linked to a 52% higher risk of preterm delivery before 37 weeks — full term is 40 weeks of gestation — and a 75% higher risk of low birth weight, which is less than 2,500 grams, or roughly 5.5 pounds at delivery, the study found. Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 5 May 2025 The trial involved 108 preterm babies, born around 30 weeks gestation, who were assigned either to immediate SSC with their mothers or to standard care. Arick Wierson, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 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 27 May. 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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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