Incubation: meaning, definitions and examples
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incubation
[ ˌɪnkjʊˈbeɪʃ(ə)n ]
medical
The process of an infectious disease developing within the body after exposure to the causative agent, but before symptoms appear.
Synonyms
development, gestation, manifestation
Examples of usage
- The incubation period for COVID-19 is typically between 2 to 14 days.
- The virus can spread during the incubation period before the person shows any symptoms.
biology
The maintenance of an environment suitable for the growth and development of eggs, cells, or bacteria.
Synonyms
breeding, cultivation, hatching
Examples of usage
- The eggs require a specific temperature for proper incubation.
- Proper incubation is crucial for the success of the experiment.
business
The development of a new idea or project, typically in a controlled setting.
Synonyms
development, fostering, nurturing
Examples of usage
- The company has an incubation program for startups.
- The incubation of new products is essential for innovation.
Translations
Translations of the word "incubation" in other languages:
🇵🇹 incubação
🇮🇳 अंडों को सेने की प्रक्रिया
🇩🇪 Inkubation
🇮🇩 inkubasi
🇺🇦 інкубація
🇵🇱 inkubacja
🇯🇵 孵化
🇫🇷 incubation
🇪🇸 incubación
🇹🇷 kuluçka
🇰🇷 부화
🇸🇦 حضانة
🇨🇿 inkubace
🇸🇰 inkubácia
🇨🇳 孵化
🇸🇮 inkubacija
🇮🇸 ræktun
🇰🇿 инкубация
🇬🇪 ინკუბაცია
🇦🇿 inkubasiya
🇲🇽 incubación
Word origin
The word 'incubation' originates from the Latin word 'incubatio' which means 'a lying down'. The term was initially used in the context of birds sitting on eggs to hatch them. Over time, the term expanded to include other meanings such as the development of ideas and the medical concept of the period between exposure to a disease and the appearance of symptoms.
See also: incubating.