# gestation

/dʒɛˈsteɪʃən/ (US) · /dʒɛstˈeɪʃən/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/gestation
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

the time it takes for a baby to grow inside its mother's body before it is born. It can also mean the time it takes for an idea to develop until it is ready to be shared.

For teachers: the period of development from conception to birth in mammals; by extension, the period of time required for an idea or project to mature and become viable.

## Examples

- The average human gestation lasts about nine months.
- The project went through a long gestation period before the team finally presented the final design to the board.
- While the biological gestation of a child is relatively predictable, the gestation of a revolutionary scientific theory often spans decades of quiet research and failed experiments.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.