incubator

Everyday

1. An incubator is a machine that keeps eggs warm so they can hatch. tree →
2. An incubator is a special clear cot in hospital that keeps a baby born too early or ill warm and safe. tree →
3. An incubator is a warm box used in labs for growing bacteria or cells. tree →
4. (business) An incubator is a place or program that helps new small companies grow. tree →

In the lessons

In school science classes often hatch chicks or ducklings in an incubator. In hospital stories a premature baby stays in an incubator until strong enough. In business news, start-up incubators help new ideas. Phrases: «in an incubator», «egg incubator», «hospital incubator».

Examples

• Our class hatched six chicks in an incubator. tree →
• The incubator keeps the eggs at 37.5 degrees. tree →
• My baby brother was born early and spent two weeks in an incubator. tree →
• The scientist put the dish of bacteria in the incubator. tree →
• Don't open the incubator lid too often or the eggs will cool. tree →
• The new app company started in a business incubator. tree →

Note

Countable: one incubator, two incubators. From «incubate». In maths problems: if 12 eggs go in and 9 hatch, 3 did not hatch, and the hatch rate is 9/12 = 75%.