rehab

noun

re·​hab ˈrē-ˌhab 

often attributive

1

: the action or process of rehabilitating : rehabilitation

especially : a program for rehabilitating especially drug or alcohol abusers

2

: a rehabilitated building or dwelling

rehab verb

rehabber

ˈrē-ˌha-bər 

noun

Synonyms of rehab

• rehabilitation
• recovery

Examples of rehab in a Sentence

The rehab for his leg injury is going well.

the accident victim had to undergo months of rehab before she could walk again

Recent Examples on the Web

Homelessness does not get solved without the help of the county, which generally oversees mental health services and drug intervention and rehab. — Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026

Eventually, the family found a more suitable rehab program with Johnson County Mental Health. — Kansas City Star, 30 Oct. 2026

He was seen in the rehab area on Thursday working out with trainers. — Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 29 Oct. 2026

And he gets sent to this kind of rehab facility in the Bronx instead of prison. — Tonya Mosley, NPR, 28 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

short for rehabilitation or rehabilitate

First Known Use

1941, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

rehab

noun

re·​hab ˈrē-ˌhab 

often attributive

: rehabilitation

especially : a program for rehabilitating especially drug or alcohol abusers