1. Maintaining something at the most favourable temperature for its development
   "The incubation of the eggs required constant monitoring of temperature and humidity"
    
2. (pathology) the phase in the development of an infection between the time a pathogen enters the body and the time the first symptoms appear
   "The incubation period for the flu virus is typically 1-4 days"
    
3. Sitting on eggs so as to hatch them by the warmth of the body
   "The hen's incubation lasted for three weeks";
   - brooding

Derived forms: incubations

Type of: aid, attention, birth, birthing, care, giving birth, parturition, phase, stage, tending

Part of: infection

Encyclopedia: Incubation