incubate: Meaning and Definition of

in•cu•bate

1. to sit upon (eggs) for the purpose of hatching.
2. to hatch (eggs), as by sitting upon them or by artificial heat.
3. to maintain at a favorable temperature and in other conditions promoting development, as cultures of bacteria or prematurely born infants.
4. to develop or produce as if by hatching; give form to: His brain was incubating schemes for raising money.

1. to sit upon eggs.
2. to undergo incubation.
3. to develop; grow; take form: A plan was slowly incubating in her mind.