incubator

noun

: one that incubates: such as
a
: an apparatus by which eggs are hatched artificially
b
: an apparatus with a chamber used to provide controlled environmental conditions especially for the cultivation of microorganisms or the care and protection of premature or sick babies
c
: an organization or place that aids the development of new business ventures especially by providing low-cost commercial space, management assistance, or shared services

Examples of incubator in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
There were no incubators, so my caregivers carried me outside and laid me in the sun. — Michelle A. Williams, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2026 After moving to California in the early 2000s, Bennett started a creative consultancy before cofounding beauty incubator Hatch Beauty in 2010. — Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 27 Oct. 2026 In laboratory experiments, researchers have put different fungi in incubators and, by steadily raising the temperature, have spawned fungi that are more tolerant to higher heat. — Dominique Mosbergen, Time, 27 Oct. 2026 Tapia is a 2020 graduate of the Alchemist Microenterprise Academy (AMA), an incubator designed to help budding food entrepreneurs build the knowledge and skills to launch their businesses. — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 21 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for incubator

Word History

First Known Use

1857, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of incubator was in 1857

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Incubator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incubator. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

Kids Definition

incubator

noun
: one that incubates
especially : a piece of equipment providing suitable conditions (as of warmth and moisture) for incubating something
an incubator for premature babies

Medical Definition

: one that incubates
especially : an apparatus with a chamber used to provide controlled environmental conditions especially for the cultivation of microorganisms or the care and protection of premature or sick babies

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