Skip to main content
to incubate

to incubate

3 5.5
Help new businesses or projects grow by giving advice and space
  • verb
  • /ˈɪŋkjʊˌbeɪt/
  • Jargon
translation icon : incubar
  • The company is currently being incubated in the Technion's Innovation Lab.

He he incubated technology, really supported science.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • The current economic distress has invigorated the discussion about job creation as a way to incubate new growth.

    Blog text (32)
  • While politicos and ideologues squabble, pre-Katrina plans for incubating a biotech economy in the downtown medical complex anchored by Charity are gathering dust.

    Academic text (2007)
  • The culture of academic freedom helps incubate the knowledge economy.

    Academic text (2010)
  • Devote quality time today to incubating and building new business in 2014.

    Blog text (8)
  • And so Hot Bread Kitchen, now very successful operation in Harlem, is incubating bread businesses throughout New York and beyond.

  • The startup program aims to incubate innovative ideas by providing mentorship and funding to new entrepreneurs.

  • Our organization is dedicated to incubate sustainable business ventures that support community development.

  • The accelerator can help you incubate your tech project by connecting you with investors and resources.

Synonyms

to seed
vsto incubate
20 5.6

To add cells or other small things to start growth

offers ongoing structured resources and mentoring rather than a single starting act
to start up
vsto incubate
16 3.2

To begin a new business or project

supports growth inside a specialised programme offering mentorship, funding, and workspace
to incubate ideas
vsto incubate
6.1

To let ideas grow slowly before you act

provides structured mentoring, funding, and workspace to actively grow projects

Antonyms

401 3.8

Stop supporting an idea or plan

256 3.8

Fail to care for someone or something you should look after

Phrasal Verbs

To let ideas grow slowly before you act

Compounds

6.6

To keep bacteria or cells at a set warm temperature so they grow

How Supported

to incubate
  • Jargon
3 5.5
to nurture
155 3.5
to support
753 1.4
to assist
605 1.0

Surface Forms

incubate infinitive
incubated past
incubated past participle
incubating present participle
incubates third person singular

Morphology

incubate = incub + ate

The verb is formed from a non-productive combining form plus the Latinate verb-forming suffix '-ate'; these components are not recognizable as independent English words for an average B1 learner, so the meaning cannot be reliably deduced from parts.

Etymology

Incubate comes from the Latin parts in- 'on' and cubare 'to lie', like a hen lying on her eggs to help them grow; by a simple image, people began to use the word for helping new projects or companies. So to incubate a startup is to give it a safe, warm place and support so it can develop.