ges ‧ ta ‧ tion /dʒeˈsteɪʃ ə n/ BrE AmE noun [singular, uncountable]
[ Date: 1500-1600 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: gestatio , from gestare 'to bear' ]
1 . medical the process by which a child or young animal develops inside its mother’s body before birth, or the period of time when this happens ⇨ pregnancy :
The gestation period of a horse is about 11 months.
2 . formal the process by which a new idea, piece of work etc is developed, or the period of time when this happens SYN development
in gestation
The report was a very long time in gestation.