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

• preview
• 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

Through raw footage, rehearsal, and reflection, the film weaves process into story and turns art-making into personal revolution. —Zac Ntim, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2025

The two allegedly got into an altercation during rehearsal for their performance at the 1998 MTV Video Music Awards, which caused a years-long rift. —Heran Mamo, Billboard, 3 Oct. 2025

Following the video, Swift began sharing footage from the rehearsals and set of the video, letting us into her meticulous planning process. —Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2025

And every scene was a rehearsal for the next scene. —Alex Ritman, Variety, 3 Oct. 2025

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

• demersal
• 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