incubate

verb

in·​cu·​bate ˈiŋ-kyə-ˌbāt 

ˈin-

incubated; incubating

transitive verb

1

a

: to sit on (eggs) so as to hatch by the warmth of the body

b

: to maintain (something, such as an embryo or a chemically active system) under conditions favorable for hatching, development, or reaction

2

: to cause or aid the development of

incubate an idea

intransitive verb

1

: to sit on eggs

2

: to undergo incubation : develop

incubative

ˈiŋ-kyə-ˌbā-tiv 

ˈin-

adjective

incubatory

ˈiŋ-kyə-bə-ˌtȯr-ē 

-ˌbā-tə-rē

ˈin-

adjective

Synonyms

• brood
• hatch
• set
• sit

Examples of incubate in a Sentence

The female bird incubates the eggs.

Researchers incubated the cells in the laboratory.

The cultures must incubate for five more days.

The virus will incubate in the body for several days before the patient experiences any symptoms.

Recent Examples on the Web

In a scene set in 1968, a scientist explained that his greatest fear was that a warming planet would provide the perfect incubating conditions for a mind-controlling fungus that could turn humans into brainless killers. —Noel Murray, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025

All the eggs that have hatched so far were incubated as females. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 Apr. 2025

Photographed protecting and incubating a rock in 2023, Murphy’s life suddenly changed. —Mike Stunson, Kansas City Star, 19 Mar. 2025

Bald eagles Jackie and Shadow have spent the past week incubating three precious eggs in their Southern California nest. —Helena Wegner, Sacramento Bee, 4 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin incubatus, past participle of incubare, from in- + cubare to lie

First Known Use

1641, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Rhymes for incubate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• adsorbate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate

Kids Definition

incubate

verb

in·​cu·​bate ˈiŋ-kyə-ˌbāt 

ˈin-

incubated; incubating

1

: to sit on eggs to hatch them by warmth

2

: to maintain (as bacteria or a chemically active system) under conditions good for development or reaction

3

: to go through the process of incubation

Medical Definition

incubate

verb

in·​cu·​bate ˈiŋ-kyə-ˌbāt, ˈin- 

incubated; incubating

transitive verb

1

: to maintain (as eggs, embryos of animals, or bacteria) under prescribed and usually controlled conditions favorable for hatching or development especially in an incubator

2

: to maintain (a chemically active system) under controlled conditions for the development of a reaction

intransitive verb

: to undergo incubation

the cultures incubated for five days