incubator

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: in=cu=ba=tor

CIDE DICTIONARY

incubator, n. 

•  That which incubates, especially, an apparatus by means of which eggs are hatched by artificial heat.  [1913 Webster]
•  An apparatus containing an enclosed chamber, used for the cultivation of microörganisms or tissue cultures by maintaining a suitable temperature and atmospheric composition. Some incubators have no provision for maintaining a special atmosphere, while in others, especially for anaerobic organisms and tissue culture, the moisture level and composition of the gases are also controlled.  [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
•  An apparatus consisting of enclosed chamber, for maintaining prematurely born babies in a favorable environment until able to thrive under normal conditions. The temperature and level of oxygen in the atmosphere may be controlled.  [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

incubator, n.
1 an apparatus used to provide a suitable temperature and environment for a premature baby or one of low birth-weight.
2 an apparatus used to hatch eggs or grow micro-organisms.