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Meaning & use

incubate

verb·Academic

Last updated

UK/ˈɪŋkjʊbeɪt/
US/ˈɪŋkjəbeɪt/

Meanings

  1. verbtransitive

    To keep eggs warm so they can develop and hatch.

    Grammar: Takes an object: incubate the eggs.

    Patterns

    • incubate eggs
    • incubate something for a time

    Some birds incubate their eggs for several weeks.

    The zoo uses special lamps to incubate the eggs.

    The male penguin incubates the egg while the female feeds.

  2. verbtransitive or intransitive

    To allow an idea, plan, or condition to develop slowly over time.

    Grammar: Can take an object (incubate an idea) or be used without one (the idea incubated).

    Patterns

    • incubate an idea
    • let something incubate
    • incubate for a period

    The team incubated the plan for months before announcing it.

    A good idea often needs time to incubate.

    The infection can incubate for days before symptoms appear.

  3. verbtransitive

    To provide support and resources to help a new business or project grow.

    Grammar: Takes an object: incubate start-ups.

    Patterns

    • incubate a company
    • incubate start-ups
    • incubate a project

    The university helps incubate student businesses.

    They incubate tech start-ups in a shared office.

    The program incubates new companies for six months.

Word forms

third person singularincubates
past tenseincubated
past participleincubated
-ing formincubating

Common combinations

incubate eggs
The hen incubates her eggs for about three weeks.
incubate an idea
He incubated the idea for a novel during his commute.
incubate a company
The accelerator incubates early-stage companies.
incubate for
The virus can incubate for up to ten days.

Synonyms and how they differ

hatch
Focuses on the young bird or animal coming out of the egg, not on the parent keeping it warm.
brood
Used mainly for birds sitting on eggs; it is more specific and often literary.
nurture
Suggests caring for and helping something grow, but not necessarily keeping it warm.

Word family

incubation noun
The process of keeping eggs warm or developing something.
incubator noun
A machine or place that keeps eggs or babies warm, or supports new businesses.

Commonly confused: incubate or inculcate?

incubate vs inculcate

Inculcate means to teach something by repetition; incubate means to keep warm or develop slowly.

Practice

The mother bird ___ her eggs for two weeks before they hatched.

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