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

The musicians first met in Melbourne, Australia on May 12, 1975, during rehearsals for the Australian touring production of Jesus Christ Superstar. — Paul Grein, Billboard, 28 Sep. 2026

And also, rehearsal is not really where Lance’s interest lies. — Damon Wise, Deadline, 28 Sep. 2026

The hard thing for Scott to shake was his own interpretation of the role, to apply it to what Charleson endured during rehearsals and performances of material that held a different kind of resonance for him. — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 28 Sep. 2026

The humiliation snuck up on him one day during a casual rehearsal. — Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 26 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