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

Mahomes falls into the best-case-scenario bucket of this type of rehab. — Sam McDowell 9, Kansas City Star, 9 Aug. 2026

Mayer will fly to the Giants’ complex in Phoenix tonight, spend several days there, then join Triple-A Sacramento for rehab games. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 9 Aug. 2026

Nick Martin, a DOT supervising engineer and project manager for the bridge rehab, answered that the choices aren’t that simple. — Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 7 Aug. 2026

The southpaw, out with elbow inflammation since June 30, is scheduled to make his first rehab start at Triple-A on Saturday. — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 7 Aug. 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