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

The two-drug regimen has been used to end a pregnancy through 10 weeks' gestation. —Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 14 June 2024

Wisconsin Abortions are banned in Wisconsin after 22 weeks' gestation. —Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 22 June 2024

Fetal viability is typically at about 23 weeks or 24 weeks of gestation. —Stephanie Innes, The Arizona Republic, 21 June 2024

In Sweden, for example, mifepristone is used up to 12 weeks’ gestation, according to Guttmacher. —Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC News, 14 June 2024

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

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