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.
The two worked together at the startup incubator Y Combinator, which Altman led prior to OpenAI. Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 11 Aug. 2026 Becoming an incubator and community — in a city devoid of such resources — for country artists to last a lifetime. Deasia Paige, AJC.com, 10 Aug. 2026 The year-round Open Doors project and talent incubator is in the second year of a four-year cycle devoted to 42 countries across Africa. Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 10 Aug. 2026 New ventures that go totally in on artificial intelligence could potentially see growth and profitability within eight months, says the leader of one of Silicon Valley’s most storied startup incubators. Joe McKendrick, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 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

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Cite this Entry

“Incubator.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incubator. Accessed 14 Aug. 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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