rehearsal

noun

re·​hears·​al ri-ˈhər-səl 

1

: something recounted or told again : recital

2

a

: a private performance or practice session preparatory to a public appearance

b

: a practice exercise : trial

Synonyms of rehearsal

• practice
• trial
• preview

Examples of rehearsal in a Sentence

She was 15 minutes late to rehearsal.

There are only three more rehearsals before the concert.

Recent Examples on the Web

The rehearsal room is one in a complex of many, the complex itself a mirror image of the competing one across the street. —Paul A. Thompson, Pitchfork, 8 Dec. 2025

In 2014, Mearns took a trip and attended a rehearsal of Carnival in Brazil. —Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 8 Dec. 2025

But when the choir travels to the countryside convent for a weekend of intensive rehearsals, Lucia’s interest in a dark-eyed restoration worker tests her friendship with Ana-Maria and the other girls. —Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 6 Dec. 2025

Listeners noticed the gains on 2023’s Live at Spiral House, a rehearsal space recording bringing drummer/programmer Tlacael Esparza into the fold. —Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 2 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing rehearsal

• dress rehearsal
• in rehearsal
• pre-rehearsal
• rehearsal dinner
• wedding rehearsal

Rhymes for rehearsal

• demersal
• dispersal
• reversal
• transversal
• traversal
• bursal
• versal
• universal

Kids Definition

rehearsal

noun

re·​hears·​al ri-ˈhər-səl 

1

: a private performance or practice session in preparation for a public appearance

2

: a practice exercise : trial

Medical Definition

rehearsal

noun

re·​hears·​al ri-ˈhər-səl 

1

: a method for improving memory by mentally or verbally repeating over and over the information to be remembered

2

: the repeated mental review of a desired action or behavioral response

preoperative rehearsal of coping imagery to reduce anxiety