/ ˌɪŋkjuˈbeɪʃn; NAmE / noun
1.
[ U ] the hatching of eggs
2.
[ C ] (also incuˈbation period ) ( medical or biology ) the time between sb being infected with a disease and the appearance of the first symptoms (= signs)
3.
[ U ] ( biology ) the development and growth of bacteria, etc.
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WORD ORIGIN
early 17th cent.: from Latin incubatio(n-) brooding, from the verb incubare , from in- upon + cubare to lie.