dress rehearsal

noun

1
: a full rehearsal (as of a play) in costume and with stage properties shortly before the first performance
2
: a practice exercise for something to come : dry run

Examples of dress rehearsal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
And this final dress rehearsal featured a strong performance by Simmons. Jeff Fedotin, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025 Last week's nighttime dress rehearsal closely mirrors a daytime run-through that the crew completed in 2023. Josh Dinner, Space.com, 20 Aug. 2025 Flacco will see action on Saturday against the Los Angeles Rams since Stefanski said the preseason finale will serve as a dress rehearsal for the starters. Joe Reedy, Denver Post, 18 Aug. 2025 The Dolphins have joint practices against the Jacksonville Jaguars, and the team’s third preseason game — the first and only at Hard Rock Stadium — this Saturday at 7 p.m., which Miami will likely use as a dress rehearsal for the regular season. Omar Kelly august 18, Miami Herald, 18 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dress rehearsal

Word History

First Known Use

1828, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dress rehearsal was in 1828

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Cite this Entry

“Dress rehearsal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dress%20rehearsal. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

dress rehearsal

noun
: a rehearsal of a play in costume and with stage properties shortly before the first performance

More from Merriam-Webster on dress rehearsal

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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