Incubate

Incubate is a verb with several related senses centered on maintaining something at a favorable temperature or environment to promote development or prevent deterioration. It derives from Latin incubare, meaning to lie upon or brood.

In biology and agriculture, incubation is the process by which embryos develop under controlled warmth and humidity. Natural incubation is performed by a parent, while artificial incubation uses incubators that regulate temperature, humidity, and turning. Typical poultry incubation is around 37.5°C (99.5°F) with relative humidity around 50–65%, and eggs are turned regularly to prevent embryo adhesion. Incubation durations vary: chickens about 21 days; ducks about 28; many reptiles have longer or variable periods.

In medicine and public health, the incubation period refers to the interval between exposure to a pathogen and the appearance of first symptoms. Lengths vary by organism and host factors, influencing decisions on isolation and outbreak control. For example, influenza commonly has an incubation of about 1–4 days, while other diseases may be longer or shorter.

In laboratory and industrial contexts, incubators provide controlled environments for growing cultures, expanding cell lines, or maintaining samples at specified temperatures and atmospheres, such as CO2 incubators used in mammalian cell culture. In business, an incubator is a program or organization that supports early-stage startups with workspace, mentorship, and resources to help them develop.

Incubation also describes the period during which an idea or project is nurtured before execution, emphasizing protection and development away from external pressures.