incubation

 
Pronunciation: /ɪŋkjʊˈbeɪʃ(ə)n/

noun

[mass noun]
  • the process of incubating eggs, cells, bacteria, a disease, etc.: the chick hatches after a month’s incubation

Derivatives

incubative

Pronunciation: /ˈɪŋkjʊbeɪtɪv/
adjective

incubatory

Pronunciation: /ˈɪŋkjʊbeɪt(ə)ri/
adjective

Origin:

early 17th century: from Latin incubatio(n-) 'brooding', from the verb incubare (see incubate)