Meaning & Definition of word "Hatching"

Hatching

/ˈhæʧɪŋ/

noun:

  • 1. The act or process of an egg breaking open and a young animal emerging.
    • Example: The hatching of the chicks took place after twenty-one days of incubation.
  • 2. The stage or process of something emerging or coming into being.
    • Example: The hatching of new ideas can lead to innovative solutions.

verb:

  • 1. Present participle of hatch, meaning to cause an egg to break open and a young animal to emerge.
    • Example: The birds are hatching their eggs in the spring.
  • 2. To devise or plan something, often with a secretive or cunning intention.
    • Example: They were hatching a plan to surprise their friend on her birthday.

Etymology

Middle English hatche, from Old English hæccian, meaning 'to hatch or to cover'.

Common Phrases and Expressions

hatching a plan:

Devising a strategy or scheme.

hatching an egg:

The process of a bird or reptile emerging from its egg.

hatching out:

To emerge from an egg.

Related Words

incubation:

The process of keeping eggs warm until they hatch.

egg:

The round or oval reproductive body produced by birds and some other animals.

chick:

A young bird, especially a newly hatched one.

Slang Meanings of hatching