gestation
ges|ta|tion /dʒest'eɪʃən/
1 [N-UNCOUNT]
Gestation is the process in which babies grow inside their mother's body before they are born. (TECHNICAL)
...the seventeenth week of gestation...
The gestation period can be anything between 95 and 150 days.
2 [N-UNCOUNT]
Gestation is the process in which an idea or plan develops. (FORMAL)
...the prolonged period of gestation of this design.
= development
1 [N-UNCOUNT]
Gestation is the process in which babies grow inside their mother's body before they are born. (TECHNICAL)
...the seventeenth week of gestation...
The gestation period can be anything between 95 and 150 days.
2 [N-UNCOUNT]
Gestation is the process in which an idea or plan develops. (FORMAL)
...the prolonged period of gestation of this design.
= development