Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

gestate

/d͡ʒɛsˈteɪt/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: 1.70 in modern English

Syllables: ges-tate
IPA: /d͡ʒɛsˈteɪt/

8

Scrabble Score

7

Letters

2

Syllables

5

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To carry offspring in the uterus from conception to delivery.

Intransitive verb

verb

To develop an idea.

Intransitive verb

Example Sentences

"In the early 1960s, a study was conducted in which gestating rats were given diets containing the same mineral content of mineral salts or amino acid chelates."
"Philip wondered at that five-year gap. Perhaps it simply proved that a work of genius takes longer to gestate than a work of mere competent brilliance."
"Barnett is not currently working on a novel. "Something is gestating in my head," he says, "but I am not yet sure if I have one character or two.""

Etymology

Back-formation from gestation on the basis of -ate (verb-forming suffix).

Word Breakdown

Root: *h₂eǵ-

Usage

Intransitive verb

Inflected Forms

gestates (present, singular) gestating (participle, present) gestated (participle, past) gestated (past)

Frequently Paired Words

gestation

Synonyms

have a bun in the oven bear carry expect conceive conceptualize conceptualise

Rhymes With

great state wait late date rate hate straight love-hate eight create weight

Questions

How do you pronounce gestate?: The recorded pronunciation is /d͡ʒɛsˈteɪt/.
What does gestate mean?: To carry offspring in the uterus from conception to delivery.
Where does gestate come from?: Back-formation from gestation on the basis of -ate (verb-forming suffix).

How to pronounce gestate

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “gestate”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/d͡ʒɛsˈteɪt/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “gestate”.
Repeat and practice — Say “gestate” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.