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

At this point in late summer, there are still a few weeks before rehearsals, before the storm of Rose rolls in. —Christopher Barnard, Vogue, 3 Oct. 2024

Several versions are included: a live rehearsal, an a cappella rendition, and a remix by Carvin Winans, plus two bonus tracks recorded live at Kings Park Stadium in Durban, South Africa, in 1994. —Chris Willman, Variety, 2 Oct. 2024

During a long brainstorming session for finding a new band name to replace Spanish Pigeon Cheese, an anonymous man walked into our rehearsal room and suggested October Man. —Amanda Peukert, SPIN, 1 Oct. 2024

Their background brought a new collaborative tone into the rehearsal room. —Steven Vargas, ARTnews.com, 30 Sep. 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