gestate

[ jes-teyt ]

verb (used with object)

, ges·tat·ed, ges·tat·ing.

1. to carry in the womb during the period from conception to delivery.
2. to think of and develop (an idea, opinion, plan, etc.) slowly in the mind.

verb (used without object)

, ges·tat·ed, ges·tat·ing.

1. to experience the process of gestating offspring.
2. to develop slowly.

gestate

/ ˈdʒɛsteɪt /

verb

1. tr to carry (developing young) in the uterus during pregnancy
2. tr to develop (a plan or idea) in the mind
3. intr to be in the process of gestating

Word History and Origins

Origin of gestate¹

First recorded in 1865–70; from Latin gestātus, past participle of gestāre “to carry about, carry in the womb,” frequentative of gerere “to bear, perform”

Word History and Origins

Origin of gestate¹

C19: back formation from gestation

Example Sentences

Still, the animals grow slowly and take nearly two years to gestate their young.

From Popular-Science

While some fish can carry over a million eggs per gestation, Ernande says, coelacanths only carry around 20 on top of being slow to mature and gestate.

From Popular-Science

This may be because larger male fetuses are typically more taxing to gestate and trigger more inflammation in our bodies.

From Washington Post

If long-gestating technologies like AI and automation really are ready to fulfill their potential, we'll have the chance to escape the great stagnation that has choked our economy and poisoned our politics.

From Axios

Maybe another prodigy’s ideas are being given the time and space to gestate, and who knows what wonders await.

From Quanta Magazine

They gestate in the minds of viewers or listeners or readers.

From The Daily Beast

Thus preparing the upper crust of our earth as a "placenta" ready to gestate plant and animal life.

From Project Gutenberg

We're fighting for time—time for Charlie and his gang to crack the puzzle, time for the Grdznth girls to gestate.

From Project Gutenberg