Incubate means to keep something warm and protected while it develops and grows. When a mother bird incubates her eggs, she sits on them for days or weeks, keeping them at just the right temperature until the chicks are ready to hatch. The warmth and protection help the baby birds develop properly inside their shells.

In hospitals, premature babies sometimes need special heated beds called incubators that provide the warmth and protection they need to grow stronger.

Scientists and entrepreneurs borrow this idea when they talk about incubating new projects or businesses. A business incubator provides resources, advice, and support to help startup companies grow during their early, vulnerable stages. When you're incubating an idea, you're giving it time and attention to develop before sharing it with the world.

The word can also describe the hidden period when germs multiply inside your body before you feel sick. The incubation period for a cold might be two or three days. That's how long the virus is growing in your system before you start sneezing.