verb

incubate

incubate, hatch, cultivate, nurture

The birds incubate their eggs for two weeks.

The birds incubate their eggs for two weeks.

The lab incubates bacteria for research.

The lab incubates bacteria for research.

They incubated the startup idea for a year.

They incubated the startup idea for a year.

((sth.)) to keep (sth.) warm to help it develop The hen will incubate the eggs.

((an idea/plan)) to develop (an idea/plan) slowly over time The team incubated the project idea for months.

Synonyms: hatch, brood, nurture, develop

From Latin 'incubare' (to lie on), from 'in-' (on) + 'cubare' (to lie).

Think of an 'incubator' for babies or eggs. It's a warm place to help things develop and grow.

This page is designed for learning support. Please use it as a learning reference, not as a formal reference.