gestate

Develop before birth

To gestate is to carry offspring in the womb during pregnancy: Elephants gestate for nearly two years.

The noun gestation refers to this period of development.

Figuratively, ideas and plans gestate when they develop slowly before emerging: The novel gestated in her mind for a decade before she wrote it.

pregnancy

womb

Fetal development organ

fetusGestating offspring
embryoOrganism before birth
pregnantGestating offspring internally

trimester · prenatal · conception · expecting · amniotic · antenatal · obstetrics · midwife · maternity · uterus

incubate

develop

Cause gradual growth

nurtureSupport growth and development
cultivateGrow or develop purposefully
evolveChange gradually over time

formulate · ripen · unfold · emerge · germinate · foster · mature · brew · percolate · ferment

ideation

conceive

Form a mental notion

envisionPicture in thought
conceptualizeForm a mental picture
imagineForm mental pictures

brainstorm · formulate · dream up · contemplate · ponder · cogitate · theorize · meditate · mull over · ruminate

Categories

animal reproductionmating, give birth, fertilization, copulation, spawning

Opposites

developmental stage

gestategive birth

Produce offspring from womb

deliver · bear · birth · be born · abort

metaphorical development

gestatelaunch

Set into motion

release · execute · implement · publish · abandon

Phrases

gestational ageTime since conception began
gestation periodPregnancy's full length
gestational diabetesGlucose intolerance during pregnancy
gestational carrierPerson carrying another's pregnancy
gestational surrogacyBearing another couple's embryo

Family

gestation, gestational, gestating, gestations, gestated, gestates

Familiarity: Top 500,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Everyday, not technical · Rated G