How to pronounce incubation
Say it like ing-kyoo-BAY-shun. Incubation has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (BAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce incubation. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ing
- kyoo
- BAY
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Incubation pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ingGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- kyooKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
- BAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- shunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of incubation
American and British speakers say incubation in essentially the same way: /ˌɪŋkjuˈbeɪʃən/ in the US and /ɪnkjuːˈbeɪʃən/ in the UK.
British respelling: in-kyoo-BAY-shun.
What does incubation mean?
- Sitting on eggs for the purpose of hatching young; a brooding on, or keeping warm, to develop the life within, by any process.
- The development of a disease from its causes, or the period of such development.
- A period of little reaction which is followed by more rapid reaction.
Where does incubation come from?
From Latin incubātiō, from incubō (“to lie on”).
Words that rhyme with incubation
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of incubation.
Questions about saying incubation
How do you pronounce incubation?
Say ing-kyoo-BAY-shun. The American pronunciation is /ˌɪŋkjuˈbeɪʃən/. In British English it is /ɪnkjuːˈbeɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in incubation?
Incubation has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (BAY). Broken into parts: ing · kyoo · BAY · shun.
Do Americans and Brits say incubation the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌɪŋkjuˈbeɪʃən/ and the British form is /ɪnkjuːˈbeɪʃən/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.