incubation
nounUK /ˌɪŋ.kjuˈbeɪ.ʃən/
US /ˌɪŋ.kjuˈbeɪ.ʃən/
The time when a baby bird or egg is kept warm until it hatches.
The mother bird sat on her eggs during incubation.
OTHER MEANINGS
2. The time between catching a germ and feeling sick.
The incubation period for the cold is about two days.
3. The time when a new idea or business is being planned and grown.
The startup spent months in incubation before launching.
4. Keeping something at a steady warm temperature so it can grow.
The lab used incubation to help the bacteria grow.