What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
incubator
Example
The chicken eggs were placed in the incubator to keep them warm and help them hatch. [incubator: noun]
Example
The hospital's neonatal unit had several incubators to care for premature infants. [incubators: plural noun]
Example
The startup was accepted into the tech incubator program, which provided mentorship and funding. [incubator: noun]
nursery
Example
The baby's room was decorated with cute animal-themed wallpaper and furniture. [nursery: noun]
Example
The plant nursery had a wide selection of flowers, herbs, and vegetables. [nursery: noun]
Example
The child attended a nursery school where they learned basic skills and socialized with other kids. [nursery: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Nursery is more commonly used than incubator in everyday language. Nursery is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while incubator is less common and has a more specialized use.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between incubator and nursery?
While incubator is typically associated with a medical or scientific tone, nursery is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.