gestation
nounUK /dʒesˈteɪʃən/
US /dʒesˈteɪʃən/
The time when a baby or young animal grows inside its mother before it is born.
The gestation period for elephants is about 22 months.
OTHER MEANINGS
2. The process of developing an idea or plan over time.
The novel was in gestation for nearly a decade before she wrote it.
3. The period during which something is being formed or developed.
The project's gestation took months of quiet planning.
4. The carrying of young in the womb from conception to birth.
Proper nutrition during gestation is important for the mother's health.