incubated

Incubated is the past participle of incubate, a verb used in biological, medical, and figurative senses to describe keeping something under conditions that promote development or growth. The term is most often associated with warmth, moisture, and time, applied to eggs, cultures, organisms, or ideas.

In aviculture, eggs are incubated to replace parental warmth. An artificial incubator provides steady heat, humidity, and turning to simulate a parent’s care. For most poultry species, temperatures are kept near 37.5–38°C (99.5–100°F) with high humidity in later stages, and eggs are turned several times daily. Incubation periods vary by species; domestic chickens typically hatch after about 21 days.

In microbiology and cell culture, incubation involves placing samples in incubators that maintain specific temperatures and atmospheres to promote growth. Bacterial cultures are commonly incubated at around 37°C, while mammalian cell lines may require CO2-enriched environments. Incubation times range from hours to days, and plates or vessels are inspected for growth patterns and contamination.

Medical terminology often references the incubation period—the time between exposure to an infectious agent and onset of symptoms. During this interval, the pathogen develops within the host, but outward signs may be absent. The length of incubation varies by pathogen and can influence surveillance and transmission.

Figuratively, incubation describes the process of nurturing a project, idea, or startup until it matures. Business incubators, accelerators, and research programs may provide resources and mentorship to help incubated ventures reach a launch or scale phase.