incubation
(noun)
noun
1. maintaining something at the most favorable temperature for its development
Definition categories: act, aid, attention, care, tending
2. (pathology) the phase in the development of an infection between the time a pathogen enters the body and the time the first symptoms appear
Definition categories: time, phase, stage
3. sitting on eggs so as to hatch them by the warmth of the body
Similar word(s): brooding
Definition categories: process, birth, birthing, parturition