incubator

noun
in·​cu·​ba·​tor | \ ˈiŋ-kyə-ˌbā-tər How to pronounce incubator (audio) , ˈin-\

Definition of incubator

: 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

Morphogenesis began in 1995 after the Lawmans left the Walt Disney Memorial Cancer Institute to launch their start-up in a business incubator program at the University of Florida. Justine Griffin, orlandosentinel.com, "A vaccine for cancer? Tampa company is working on it," 21 Aug. 2019 The drug lord’s incarceration at the nation’s highest security prison, nicknamed the Alcatraz of the Rockies, has brought new attention on the prison that critics consider an incubator for mental illness. Kirk Mitchell, The Denver Post, "Colorado’s Supermax prison now occupied by El Chapo is “worse than death,” ex-warden said," 27 July 2019 Situated in San Francisco’s Mission District, La Cocina is a nonprofit, kitchen incubator program that helps women, especially those of color and immigrants, enter the food business. Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, "Recipes of 17 countries in book by immigrant, female chefs visiting metro Detroit," 18 June 2019 Margo Thornberry saw the devastation Alzheimer’s disease wreaked on her grandfather and decided to do something about it with her project in the business incubator program at Lake Forest High School. Daniel I. Dorfman, chicagotribune.com, "Alzheimer's aids come out of Lake Forest High School business incubator program," 8 June 2019 The incubator occupied a large stretch of WeWork Aventine in La Jolla, housing more than 75 people as of December. San Diego Union-Tribune, "Tech scene jumps to save ‘homeless’ startups after ThinkTank’s abrupt closure," 11 July 2019 Among the guests: Marilyn Baade, program manager for the Research, Entrepreneurship, Discovery and Innovation Zone (REDIzone), the campus’ incubator for biomedical startups. Julie Washington, cleveland.com, "NEOMED President Dr. Jay Gershen reflects on successes, challenges as he prepares to retire this fall," 25 June 2019 School officials say construction on the $12 million business incubator could begin this summer, thanks in part to a $3 million federal grant that puts the new center in range of being fully funded. USA TODAY, "Mowing quest, mayo man, soybean scare: News from around our 50 states," 17 June 2019 Scott Carpenter, head of policy, Jigsaw—Scott drives international engagement for the Google incubator to solve cybersecurity issues, including the role of AI in geopolitics, radicalization, online harassment, and censorship. Quartz, "Meet the new Quartz Pros: Ghislaine Boddington, Scott Carpenter, Shaun Stewart, Donna Wells," 5 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'incubator.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of incubator

1857, in the meaning defined above

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More Definitions for incubator

incubator

noun

English Language Learners Definition of incubator

: a device that is used to keep eggs warm before they hatch
medical : a piece of equipment in which very weak or sick babies are placed for special care and protection after their birth
business : an organization or place that helps in the development of new businesses

incubator

noun
in·​cu·​ba·​tor | \ ˈiŋ-kyə-ˌbā-tər How to pronounce incubator (audio) \

Kids Definition of incubator

1 : a device that provides enough heat to hatch eggs artificially
2 : a device to help the growth of tiny newborn babies

incubator

noun
in·​cu·​ba·​tor | \ ˈiŋ-kyə-ˌbāt-ər, ˈin- How to pronounce incubator (audio) \

Medical Definition of incubator

: 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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