Gestation Meaning in English
word
Definition
The period of development inside the womb from conception until birth in mammals. It can also refer more generally to the process or time during which something is developed or formed.
Usage & Nuances
Formal, scientific, or medical term, mostly used for animals and humans. In figurative language, can be used for ideas or projects developing over time ('the long gestation of the project'). Often confused with 'pregnancy', but 'gestation' emphasizes the developmental process rather than just the state.
Example Sentences
The gestation period for a human baby is about nine months.
basic
Elephants have a long gestation period.
basic
During gestation, the baby grows inside the mother.
basic
The idea for the new product was in gestation for over a year.
natural
Some species have different gestation lengths depending on the environment.
natural
Nobody realized how much work went into the gestation of that film.
natural