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

Maton made a rehab appearance at Triple A on Friday night, tossing a scoreless inning while allowing two hits, no walks and striking out two on 25 pitches. —Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 25 Apr. 2026

Relief pitcher Brock Stewart was to pitch in the fourth game of his rehab assignment on Friday for Triple-A Oklahoma City. —Michael Huntley, Oc Register, 25 Apr. 2026

And Steve was going to cardiac rehab, doing yard work and performing household duties again. —Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2026

The flip side • Thank you very much to AdventHealth Winter Park for great care post-op and AdventHealth rehab after my emergency surgery in March. —Ticked Off, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Apr. 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