Meaning & use
incubate
To keep eggs warm until they hatch, or to allow an idea or condition to develop gradually.
See it in a sentence
The hen will incubate her eggs for about twenty-one days before they hatch.
He let the business plan incubate for months before presenting it to investors.
A note on using this word
Used literally in biology and figuratively for ideas, illnesses, or plans that need time to develop.
Words with a similar meaning
hatchdevelop
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Another way to use it
2. verb
To provide support and resources to help a new business or project grow.
The university runs a program to incubate student startups.
Make it your own
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