incubation

noun

Definition of incubationnext
as in maturation

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of incubation After 21 days of incubation, eight of the eggs hatched, delivering a small flock of cute, fluffy chicks. — Amanda Kooser, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025 Pipping typically occurs after roughly 35 days of incubation, so livestream viewers could start to see some action around the beginning of March. — Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 Feb. 2025 Birds that lay multiple eggs over a period of days practice delayed incubation. — Joan Morris, The Mercury News, 17 Feb. 2025 Bald eagle eggs typically hatch after 35 days of incubation, according to the East Tennessee State University. — Helena Wegner, Sacramento Bee, 4 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for incubation

Browse Nearby Words

incubating
incubation
incubations
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Incubation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incubation. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on incubation

Nglish: Translation of incubation for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about incubation

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Words in Disguise: Do these seem familiar?

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)

'Blue Moon,' 'Wolf Moon,' and Other Moons to Look for Throughout the Year

10 Scrabble Words Without Any Vowels
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
name that thing flower edition
Name That Flower Can you tell the difference between a lilac and a...
See All