1. to sit on eggs to hatch them by keeping them warm
2. to keep bacteria, cells, or other organisms at a suitable temperature for growth and development
Usage: scientific
3. to develop slowly or gradually

Examples

• The mother bird will incubate her eggs for three weeks.
• Scientists incubate the bacterial samples at 37 degrees Celsius.
• The startup spent months incubating their business idea.
• The virus can incubate in the body for several days before symptoms develop.
• She incubated the plan in her mind before presenting it to the team.
• The laboratory incubates cell cultures under controlled conditions.
• Birds incubate their eggs by sitting on them to provide warmth.