incubator

[ in-kyuh-bey-ter, ing- ]

noun

1. an apparatus in which eggs are hatched artificially.
2. an enclosed apparatus in which prematurely born infants are kept in controlled conditions, as of temperature, for protection and care.
3. an apparatus in which media inoculated with microorganisms are cultivated at a constant temperature.
4. a person or thing that incubates.
5. Business. an enterprise that provides support services to entrepreneurs refining startup concepts, in a continuing and open-ended relationship that includes access to mentoring, networking, or legal assistance, often in a collaborative workspace. Compare accelerator ( def 9 ).

incubator

/ ˈɪnkjʊˌbeɪtə /

noun

1. med an enclosed transparent boxlike apparatus for housing prematurely born babies under optimum conditions until they are strong enough to survive in the normal environment
2. a container kept at a constant temperature in which birds' eggs can be artificially hatched or bacterial cultures grown
3. a person, animal, or thing that incubates
4. a commercial property, divided into small work units, which provides equipment and support to new businesses

incubator

/ ĭn′kyə-bā′tər /

1. An apparatus in which environmental conditions, such as temperature and humidity, can be controlled, often used for growing bacterial cultures, hatching eggs artificially, or providing suitable conditions for a chemical or biological reaction.
2. An apparatus for maintaining an infant, especially one that is ill or born before the usual gestation period, in an environment of controlled temperature, humidity, and oxygen concentration.

incubator

1. A specialized crib used in caring for infants, in which the temperature and oxygen content of the air can be controlled. Often, babies who are born prematurely will be placed in an incubator until they have become strong enough to be housed in a regular crib.

Word History and Origins

Origin of incubator¹

First recorded in 1855–60; from Late Latin: literally, “one who lies in or upon (something); one who sleeps in a temple or shrine”; incubate, -tor

Example Sentences

A lawsuit claims that an ethnic studies steering committee created by a Santa Ana school board met in secret and served as an incubator for antisemitic coursework.

From Los Angeles Times

Ho has also boycotted clerks from Yale Law School over the institution’s alleged “cancel culture” and Columbia University for allegedly acting as an “incubator of bigotry” by allowing controversial pro-Gaza protests.

From Slate

What did the "Top Chef" incubator teach you?

From Salon

And the Farm to School incubator grant program has awarded about $86 million since 2021 to allow schools to develop programming focused on climate-smart or organic agriculture.

From Salon

In the 15-plus years since I first spoke there, the Latino Youth Leadership Conference has transformed into an incubator.

From Los Angeles Times