rehabilitation

noun

re·​ha·​bil·​i·​ta·​tion ˌrē-ə-ˌbi-lə-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce rehabilitation (audio)
ˌrē-hə-
plural rehabilitations
: the action, process, or result of rehabilitating or of being rehabilitated: such as
a
: restoration especially by therapeutic means to an improved condition of physical function
MCL injuries alone rarely necessitate surgery and heal with rest and rehabilitation.Shira Springer
The handsome barn-style building is used as a wildlife rehabilitation center, so you'll see mending hawks, eagles, or owls perching.Lora J. Finnegan
also : the process of restoring a person to a drug- or alcohol-free state
… the tabloid feeding frenzy surrounding his drug bust and ensuing rehabilitation for heroin addiction last year. Joyce Millman
b
: the process of restoring someone (such as a criminal) to a useful and constructive place in society
the rehabilitation of prisoners
a prison rehabilitation program
c
: the restoration of something damaged or deteriorated to a prior good condition
the rehabilitation of the neighborhood
the rehabilitation of a person's reputation

Examples of rehabilitation in a Sentence

his rehabilitation from the flu was brief, and he was up and working again within a few days
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.
By embedding halfway houses into the federal transition process, Bush underscored his belief that effective reentry programs could reduce recidivism and strengthen families, turning correctional policy toward rehabilitation as much as punishment. Walter Pavlo, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025 And yet, despite the somewhat shaky premise—retaining the services of an insurance company that isn’t State Farm is like hiring the All About the Bass warbler to oversee your star quarterback’s injury prevention and/or rehabilitation regimen—the spot hasn’t worn out its welcome. Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 12 Sep. 2025 Such advancements are critical for applying robotics in motor rehabilitation, virtual reality, and assistive technologies, where seamless and natural interaction is paramount. Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 12 Sep. 2025 Advocates of a lighter touch argue that an overly punitive system can hinder rehabilitation and reintegration into society. Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rehabilitation

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rehabilitation was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Rehabilitation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rehabilitation. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

Medical Definition

rehabilitation

noun
re·​ha·​bil·​i·​ta·​tion ˌrē-(h)ə-ˌbil-ə-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce rehabilitation (audio)
often attributive
1
: the action or process of rehabilitating or of being rehabilitated: as
a
: the physical restoration of a sick or disabled person by therapeutic measures and reeducation to participation in the activities of a normal life within the limitations of the person's physical disability
rehabilitation after coronary occlusion
b
: the process of restoring an individual to a useful and constructive place in society especially through some form of vocational, correctional, or therapeutic retraining
2
: the result of rehabilitating : the state of being rehabilitated
rehabilitation of the patient

More from Merriam-Webster on rehabilitation

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