the process in which a bird, etc. keeps its eggs warm until the young come out, or the process in which an egg develops until the stage at which the young come out

The incubation period varies depending on the time of year when the eggs were laid. 孵化期的长短取决于每年产卵的时间。

The chemical makes eggshells so thin and porous that they break during incubation. 这种化学物质使蛋壳变得非常薄和多孔，以至于在孵化过程中会破裂。

the process or period of time in which harmful bacteria or viruses increase in size or number in a person's or animal's body but do not yet produce the effects of disease

In smallpox, there is an incubation period of 8–18 days between initial infection and first symptoms. 天花，从最初感染到出现第一个症状之间有8到18天的潜伏期。

After about two weeks of incubation, symptoms begin. 大约两星期的潜伏期之后，症状开始出现。