Definition of: incubate

(in′kyə·bāt, ing′-) v. ·bat·ed, ·bat·ing v.t.
1. To sit upon (eggs) in order to hatch; brood.
2. To hatch (eggs) in this manner or by artificial heat.
3. To maintain under conditions favoring optimum growth or development, as bacterial cultures.
—v.i.
4. To sit on eggs; brood.
5. To undergo incubation. [<L incubatus, pp. of incubare <in- on + cubare lie]
—in′cu·ba′tive adjective