incubate
C1Formal, Technical
Definition
Meaning
To keep eggs, cells, or bacteria at a suitable temperature so that they develop or grow.
To develop something slowly and carefully, especially an idea, plan, or business.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The verb's meaning bridges biology and abstract development. In business/tech contexts, it implies nurturing a new venture in a protected environment.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Spelling and pronunciation are standard.
Connotations
Identical connotations of controlled development.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American English in business contexts (e.g., 'business incubator').
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[transitive] incubate + noun (eggs, idea)[intransitive] The samples must incubate for 24 hours.[transitive] incubate + noun + at/in + noun (temperature/place)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A watched pot never boils, but a well-incubated idea always hatches.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The venture capital firm will incubate several promising tech startups.
Academic
The researchers will incubate the cell cultures at 37°C.
Everyday
We need to incubate this plan a bit longer before presenting it.
Technical
The protocol requires you to incubate the mixture in a water bath.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The bird will incubate its eggs for a fortnight.
- The university helps incubate student-led enterprises.
American English
- The lab will incubate the samples overnight.
- They incubated the concept for a year before seeking funding.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- The incubative period for the virus is variable.
- N/A
American English
- The incubative stage of the project is critical.
- N/A
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The hen sits on her eggs to incubate them.
- Keep the mixture in a warm place to incubate.
- The laboratory incubates bacteria for medical research.
- They decided to incubate the business idea for another six months.
- The policy was incubated during a series of closed-door think-tank sessions.
- Startups are often incubated in specialised hubs with access to mentors and capital.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of an INCUBATOR for babies; to INCUBATE is to keep something warm and safe until it's ready to be born or launched.
Conceptual Metaphor
IDEAS ARE LIVING ORGANISMS (that need warmth, time, and care to grow).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'инкубировать' (direct equivalent, but less common in abstract sense). Avoid using 'инкубационный' for abstract ideas; use 'развивать' or 'вынашивать' (idea) instead.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'We incubated about the new strategy.' (Correct: 'We incubated the new strategy.')
- Incorrect preposition: 'incubate during 37°C' (Correct: 'incubate at 37°C').
Practice
Quiz
In a biological context, what does 'incubate' most precisely mean?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, its core meaning relates to eggs, bacteria, or cells, but it is widely used metaphorically for ideas, plans, and businesses.
The main noun forms are 'incubation' (the process) and 'incubator' (the place or device where incubation happens).
Yes, especially in scientific contexts. E.g., 'The cultures must incubate for 48 hours.'
'Incubate' refers to the process of keeping warm for development. 'Hatch' is the moment of emerging from an egg. An egg is incubated before it hatches.