Incubate — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /ˈiŋ-kyə-ˌbāt/ in·cu·bate

Meaning & Definition of Incubate

Incubate (verb)

  1. to sit on (eggs) so as to hatch by the warmth of the body
  2. to maintain (something, such as an embryo or a chemically active system) under conditions favorable for hatching, development, or reaction
  3. to cause or aid the development of

Incubate (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to cover and warm eggs as the young inside develop

    "the hen incubated her eggs for two weeks"

    similar: brood, hatch, set, sit
    related: lay, spawn

  2. to help the growth or development of

    "hopefully, these youthful visits to the museum will incubate an enduring love of art"

    similar: advance, cultivate, encourage, forward, foster, further, nourish, nurse, nurture, promote
    related: advocate, back, champion, endorse, support, uphold, endow, finance, fund, patronize, stake, subsidize, underwrite, abet, aid, assist, advertise, boost, plug, publicize, tout, agitate (for), campaign (for), work (for)
    opposite: discourage, frustrate, hinder, inhibit
    near: ban, bar, enjoin, forbid, interdict, outlaw, prevent, prohibit, proscribe, battle, combat, contend (with), counter, fight, oppose, repress, snuff (out), squash, squelch, stifle, subdue, suppress, arrest, check, halt, retard, encumber, fetter, hobble, impede, interfere (with), manacle, obstruct, shackle

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Incubate

The most common words with a similar meaning to Incubate:

brood, hatch, set, sit, advance, cultivate, encourage, forward, foster, further, nourish, nurse, nurture, promote

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Incubate

Words with the opposite meaning of Incubate:

discourage, frustrate, hinder, inhibit

Related Words for Incubate

lay, spawn, advocate, back, champion, endorse, support, uphold, endow, finance, fund, patronize, stake, subsidize, underwrite, abet, aid, assist, advertise, boost, plug, publicize, tout, agitate (for), campaign (for), work (for)

Near Antonyms of Incubate

ban, bar, enjoin, forbid, interdict, outlaw, prevent, prohibit, proscribe, battle, combat, contend (with), counter, fight, oppose, repress, snuff (out), squash, squelch, stifle, subdue, suppress, arrest, check, halt, retard, encumber, fetter, hobble, impede

Word Forms of Incubate

Inflections: incubated, incubating

Derived words: incubative (adjective), incubatory (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Incubate

Latin incubatus, past participle of incubare, from in- + cubare to lie

First known use: 1641t

Frequently Asked Questions about Incubate

What does "Incubate" mean?

"Incubate" means to sit on (eggs) so as to hatch by the warmth of the body. As a verb, it is defined as: to sit on (eggs) so as to hatch by the warmth of the body. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Incubate"?

Other words for "Incubate" include brood, hatch, set, sit, advance, cultivate, encourage and forward. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Incubate" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Incubate"?

There are 40 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Incubate". Common alternatives include brood, hatch, set, sit, advance, cultivate, encourage, forward, foster and further.

What is the opposite of "Incubate"?

Antonyms of "Incubate" include discourage, frustrate, hinder and inhibit. Near antonyms include ban, bar, enjoin and forbid.

How do you use "Incubate" in a sentence?

Examples of "Incubate" in a sentence: "the hen incubated her eggs for two weeks"; "hopefully, these youthful visits to the museum will incubate an enduring love of art".

Is "Incubate" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Incubate" is a verb.

How do you pronounce "Incubate"?

"Incubate" is pronounced /ˈiŋ-kyə-ˌbāt/ and divided into syllables as in·cu·bate.

What is the origin of the word "Incubate"?

"Incubate" comes from Latin incubatus, past participle of incubare, from in- + cubare to lie. First known use: 1641t.