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

• 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

Sasaki is expected to face hitters for three simulated innings on Friday at Dodger Stadium, then head out on a minor-league rehab assignment. —Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 6 Aug. 2025

As the lone starting pitcher the Cubs acquired before Thursday’s trade deadline, losing Soroka for even two weeks is a blow, even with right-handers Jameson Taillon and Javier Assad on rehab assignments with Triple-A Iowa and nearing returns. —Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2025

Paul Blackburn will make another rehab start Friday with Triple-A Syracuse, so the Mets won’t be activating him this weekend in Milwaukee. —Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 4 Aug. 2025

Paul Blackburn is currently on a rehab assignment, and Tylor Megill has started facing hitters. —Aaliyan Mohammed, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Aug. 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