gestation
noun
ges·ta·tion
je-ˈstā-shən 
1
: the carrying of young in the uterus (see uterus sense 1) : pregnancy
2
: conception (see conception sense 3) and development especially in the mind
Examples of gestation in a Sentence
the gestation of new ideas
The book has been in gestation for a long time.
Recent Examples on the Web
Per old wives’ tales, nesting is a phenomenon that happens near the end of gestation: a maternal instinct to prepare for birth.
—
Betty Liu, Bon Appétit, 20 Jan. 2025
Rare Elephant Twins Elephants have the longest gestation period of any mammal on Earth today.
—Sean Mowbray, Discover Magazine, 18 Dec. 2024
Blumberg worked closely with Corbet across the seven-year gestation period for the film, resulting in almost two hours of original music, including for the 15-minute intermission.
—Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 11 Dec. 2024
The woman was in the bathroom when the child was born at what was later determined to be 23 to 26 weeks of gestation and weighing about 2 lbs., Chappell tells PEOPLE.
—Hilary Shenfeld, People.com, 5 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for gestation 
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Betty Liu, Bon Appétit, 20 Jan. 2025
Rare Elephant Twins Elephants have the longest gestation period of any mammal on Earth today.
—Sean Mowbray, Discover Magazine, 18 Dec. 2024
Blumberg worked closely with Corbet across the seven-year gestation period for the film, resulting in almost two hours of original music, including for the 15-minute intermission.
—Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 11 Dec. 2024
The woman was in the bathroom when the child was born at what was later determined to be 23 to 26 weeks of gestation and weighing about 2 lbs., Chappell tells PEOPLE.
—Hilary Shenfeld, People.com, 5 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for gestation
Articles Related to gestation
Dictionary Entries Near gestation
Cite this Entry
“Gestation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gestation. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
gestation
noun
ges·ta·tion
je-ˈstā-shən
: the carrying of young in the uterus : pregnancy
Medical Definition
gestation
noun
ges·ta·tion
je-ˈstā-shən
1
: the carrying of young in the uterus from conception to delivery : pregnancy
2
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