gestation
jes-TAY-shun
/dʒɛˈsteɪʃn/
The process or period of carrying or being carried in the womb between conception and birth.
This is the technical term for the duration of pregnancy, used in both human medicine and zoology.
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'gestatio', from 'gestare' (to carry or bear). It originally referred to being carried in a vehicle or litter before it was applied to carrying a child.
Word relationships
- pregnancy: Pregnancy is the state of the mother; gestation is the process of development in the womb.
Commonly confused with
- incubation: Incubation refers to eggs being kept warm outside the body; gestation happens inside the womb.
Word family
- gestate (verb): To carry in the womb; to develop an idea over time.
- gestational (adjective): Relating to gestation.
Collocations
- gestation period
- weeks of gestation
- prolonged gestation
- gestation length
Example sentences
- "The gestation period for humans is approximately 280 days, or 40 weeks." Biology
- "The fetus was at 32 weeks of gestation when the mother went into early labor." Medical report
Memory hook
Think of 'gesturing'—you are 'carrying' a message; in gestation, you are 'carrying' a baby. The carrying period.
When not to use
In casual conversation, 'pregnancy' is more common; 'gestation' is used for scientific or precise medical contexts.
Fun facts
- Elephants have the longest gestation period of any land mammal, lasting nearly 22 months!
Related words
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