rehearsal

noun

re·​hears·​al ri-ˈhər-səl How to pronounce rehearsal (audio)
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

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
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.
Perhaps a rough night at rehearsals for the chronically employable actor, or, more likely, with them out of school, a long morning with the kids — five in total, three of whom are with Eberstein, two of whom were authored by Grant and his ex-partner, Tinglan Hong? Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 12 July 2025 SpaceX posted the new launch date on X Saturday evening, the day after the flight rehearsal test. Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025 But a TikTok video capturing her journey — complete with hotel-room rehearsals and joyful nerves — quickly touched millions. Ashley Vega, People.com, 1 July 2025 Deadline has seen a copy of Pilgrim’s original legal complaint, which lays out his account of the accident, including how the stunt was changed between rehearsal and filming. Jake Kanter, Deadline, 27 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for rehearsal

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of rehearsal was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rehearsal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rehearsal. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

rehearsal

noun
re·​hears·​al ri-ˈhər-səl How to pronounce rehearsal (audio)
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 How to pronounce rehearsal (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on rehearsal

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