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

Despite a scary incident in Los Angeles earlier this week, Andy Dick is refusing to go to rehab. —Emily Trainham, FOXNews.com, 11 Dec. 2025

Bieber dealt with forearm fatigue at the end of the season, a person briefed on the matter said, but has since begun offseason recovery and rehab work. —Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 10 Dec. 2025

The evidence is in subreddits like r/quitting7oh and at rehab centers, where doctors are reporting dramatic upticks in patients that arrive hopelessly addicted to 7-OH. —David Hudnall, Kansas City Star, 10 Dec. 2025

When two unqualified bozos are hired to transfer a rich teen to rehab, their straightforward gig quickly spirals into dangerous mayhem. —Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 10 Dec. 2025

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