noun
the period during which an embryo develops (about 266 days in humans)
• Syn: ↑gestation
• Hypernyms: ↑biological time
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noun also gestation : the length of time during which gestation takes place
the gestation period of a mare is about eleven months — F.A.Wrensch
a new line of presses that would have a gestation period of about five years from drawing board to introduction — Joel Dean
Useful english dictionary. 2012.