rehearsal

noun

re·​hears·​al ri-ˈhər-səl 

1

: something recounted or told again : recital

2

a

: a private performance or practice session preparatory to a public appearance

b

: a practice exercise : trial

Synonyms of rehearsal

• practice
• trial
• preview

Examples of rehearsal in a Sentence

She was 15 minutes late to rehearsal.

There are only three more rehearsals before the concert.

Recent Examples on the Web

Hargitay has been in steady rehearsals for the Emmy hosting gig, the first time a woman has hosted the show in 15 years. — Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2026

The Foundry plans nine band rehearsal spaces in a future phase. — Jasmine Hentschel, AJC.com, 10 Sep. 2026

The next scene is the band beginning its rehearsals in May 2025 for their massive, triumphant comeback tour. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2026

Then, the day before the match starts, there is a ‘rehearsal’ to check everything is working. — Nick Miller, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing rehearsal

• dress rehearsal
• in rehearsal
• pre-rehearsal
• rehearsal dinner
• wedding rehearsal

Rhymes for rehearsal

• dispersal
• reversal
• transversal
• traversal
• bursal
• versal
• universal

Kids Definition

rehearsal

noun

re·​hears·​al ri-ˈhər-səl 

1

: a private performance or practice session in preparation for a public appearance

2

: a practice exercise : trial

Medical Definition

rehearsal

noun

re·​hears·​al ri-ˈhər-səl 

1

: a method for improving memory by mentally or verbally repeating over and over the information to be remembered

2

: the repeated mental review of a desired action or behavioral response

preoperative rehearsal of coping imagery to reduce anxiety