Definition

1. Noun:
   • A device for maintaining controlled environmental conditions: An "incubator" is an apparatus, typically a box or enclosed chamber, designed to maintain a constant, optimal temperature and often humidity. It is used for hatching eggs or for the care of premature infants.
   • A supportive environment for development: In a broader, metaphorical sense, an "incubator" can refer to any environment, organization, or program designed to nurture the development of new ideas, businesses, or projects.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The hospital's neonatal unit has several incubators for premature babies.
  • The farmer placed the fertilized chicken eggs in the incubator.
  • The university's business incubator helped launch dozens of successful startups.

Advanced Usage

• "Business incubator": An organization that helps new and startup companies to develop by providing services such as management training, office space, and funding.

  • She developed her tech idea within a business incubator before seeking venture capital.

• "To be in an incubator": To be in a protected, nurturing environment for growth.

  • The new policy is still in the incubator and won't be announced for several months.

Variants and Related Words

• Incubate (verb): To maintain (eggs, embryos, bacteria, etc.) under conditions favorable for development or growth. Also used metaphorically for ideas or plans.

  • The birds incubate their eggs.
  • We need to incubate this concept a bit longer.

• Incubation (noun): The process of incubating eggs, cells, or ideas.

  • The incubation period for the virus is 7-14 days.

Synonyms

• Brooder: A device or person that broods eggs (specifically for eggs/birds).
• Hatchery: A place for hatching eggs, especially fish or poultry.
• Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU): The hospital department where infant incubators are used.

Related Phrases

• "Incubator program": A structured program designed to foster the development of new ventures or projects.
  • He was accepted into a prestigious technology incubator program.

Related Idioms

• "A hotbed of innovation": While not using the word "incubator," this idiom conveys a similar metaphorical meaning of an environment that fosters rapid development.
  • The city's downtown has become a hotbed of innovation for green technology.

Noun

1. apparatus consisting of a box designed to maintain a constant temperature by the use of a thermostat; used for chicks or premature infants