1. The act or process of maintaining something at the most favorable temperature for its development: The period of incubation for the eggs of various species of animals varies from a few days to several months.
2. The slow development of something; especially, through thought and planning: Fred's essays always need a process of incubation before he publishes them: thus, allowing for revisions, etc.
3. In medicine, the development of an infection from the time the pathogen enters the body until signs or symptoms first appear: Dr. Diedrich advised Mary that the time span of incubation for the vaccine was about two weeks.
4. The maintenance of an infant, especially a premature infant, in an environment of controlled temperature, humidity, and oxygen concentration in order to provide optimal conditions for growth and development: Sabina's cousin went to the hospital every day because her ill baby needed incubation in order to gain strength and get well.