Gestation is the process in which babies grow inside their mother's body before they are born.
[technical]
...the seventeenth week of gestation.
The gestation period can be anything between 95 and 150 days.
Synonyms: incubation, development, growth, pregnancy More Synonyms of gestation
2. uncountable noun
Gestation is the process in which an idea or plan develops.
[formal]
...the prolonged period of gestation of this design. [+ of]
Synonyms: development, progress, evolution, progression More Synonyms of gestation
gestation in British English
(dʒɛˈsteɪʃən)
noun
1.
a.
the development of the embryo of a viviparous mammal, between conception and birth: about 266 days in humans, 624 days in elephants, and 63 days in cats
b.
(as modifier)
gestation period
2.
the development of an idea or plan in the mind
3.
the period of such a development
Derived forms
gestational (gesˈtational) or gestative (ˈdʒɛstətɪv, dʒɛˈsteɪ-)
adjective
gestatory (ˈgestatory)
adjective
Word origin
C16: from Latin gestātiō a bearing, from gestāre to bear, frequentative of gerere to carry
gestation in American English
(dʒɛsˈteɪʃən)
noun
1.
the act or period of carrying young in the uterus from conception to birth; pregnancy
2.
a development, as of a plan in the mind
Word origin
L gestatio < pp. of gestare, freq. of gerere, to bear, carry
Synonyms of 'gestation'
incubation, development, growth, pregnancy
development, progress, evolution, progression
More Synonyms of gestation
1 (noun)
Definition
the process of carrying and developing babies in the womb during pregnancy, or the time during which this process takes place
The gestation period can be anything between 95 and 150 days.
Synonyms
incubation
development
growth
This helps to encourage new growth and makes the plant flower profusely.
pregnancy
Take care to avoid contaminated food during pregnancy.
evolution
ripening
maturation
2 (noun)
Definition
the process of developing a plan or idea in the mind
the prolonged period of gestation of this design
Synonyms
development
the development of the embryo
progress
The two sides made little progress towards agreement.
The doctors say they are pleased with her progress.
evolution
a crucial period in the evolution of modern physics
progression
Both drugs slow the progression of the disease.
incubation
Additional synonyms
in the sense of evolution
Definition
a gradual development, esp. to a more complex form
a crucial period in the evolution of modern physics
Synonyms
development,
growth,
advance,
progress,
working out,
expansion,
extension,
unfolding,
progression,
enlargement,
maturation,
unrolling
in the sense of growth
This helps to encourage new growth and makes the plant flower profusely.
Synonyms
vegetation,
development,
production,
sprouting,
germination,
shooting
in the sense of pregnancy
Take care to avoid contaminated food during pregnancy.
Synonyms
gestation,
gravidity
Nearby words of
gestation
germane
Germany
germinate
gestation
gesticulate
gesticulation
gesture
Synonyms of 'gestation'
gestation
Explore 'gestation' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of progress
Definition
improvement or development
The two sides made little progress towards agreement.The doctors say they are pleased with her progress.