gestation: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Technical
Quick answer
What does “gestation” mean?
The process of carrying or being carried in the womb between conception and birth.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The process of carrying or being carried in the womb between conception and birth.
The development of something over a period of time, especially an idea, a plan, or a project.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling is identical.
Connotations
Neutral in both varieties; technical in biology, slightly formal in metaphorical use.
Frequency
Equally common in formal and technical contexts in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “gestation” in a Sentence
The gestation of [NOUN PHRASE]A [ADJ] gestation periodAfter [NUMBER]-month gestationVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “gestation” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The idea was gestating in his mind for years.
American English
- She gestated the concept throughout the summer.
adjective
British English
- The gestational diabetes was carefully monitored.
American English
- They studied the gestational period in mammals.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
"The new product is still in gestation and won't launch for another year."
Academic
"The gestation of the theory took over a decade of research."
Everyday
"Their holiday plans had a long gestation before they finally booked anything."
Technical
"The average gestation period for an African elephant is 22 months."
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “gestation”
Strong
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “gestation”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gestation”
- Confusing 'gestation' with 'digestion' or 'suggestion'. Using it in overly casual contexts where 'development' or 'planning' would be more natural.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it refers to the pregnancy period of any mammal.
Yes, it is quite common in formal and business contexts to describe the development phase of ideas, plans, or projects.
In biology, 'gestation' is for live-bearing mammals, 'incubation' is for eggs. Metaphorically, they are near-synonyms, though 'incubation' can imply a more passive, subconscious process.
Typically uncountable. We say 'a period of gestation', not 'a gestation'. However, in metaphorical use, you might hear 'a long gestation'.
The process of carrying or being carried in the womb between conception and birth.
Gestation is usually formal, technical in register.
Gestation: in British English it is pronounced /dʒɛˈsteɪʃ(ə)n/, and in American English it is pronounced /dʒɛˈsteɪʃ(ə)n/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “In gestation”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'GESTATION' as the 'GUEST STAYing' inside – a guest staying for about nine months.
Conceptual Metaphor
IDEAS ARE ORGANISMS / PROJECTS ARE PREGNANCIES (e.g., 'the project was gestating', 'give birth to an idea').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'gestation' LEAST likely to be used?