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

• dry run
• practice
• practise
• trial

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

My job involves giving honest (but hopefully never brutal) critiques of actors during the rehearsal process. —Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 16 July 2024

Once that work is complete, SpaceX will stack the ship on top of the booster and may perform a full countdown rehearsal a few days before the first launch attempt, which could happen as early as August. —Stephen Clark, Ars Technica, 15 July 2024

Bruno Gambier, a bateaux mouche captain since 1986, took part in the June rehearsals. —Michel Luizet, Robb Report, 15 July 2024

Hutchins was fatally shot, and Rust director Joel Souza was injured, on October 21, 2021 after the Colt .45 Baldwin was pointing at the cinematographer fired off a live round during a rehearsal at the Bonanza Creek Ranch near Santa Fe where the indie Western was filming. —Dominic Patten, Deadline, 12 July 2024

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

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