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

She’s seen during a dance rehearsal, a silly social media clip, and onstage from their Lollapalooza set, the latter of which came before her announcement in February to step away from Katseye. — Jaeden Pinder, Rolling Stone, 15 July 2026

The 515 Music Hub is also new, a partnership between Music Across Borders, Open Doors KC and KC Jazz Alive and has hosted musicians at its rehearsal space and live venue. — Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 8 July 2026

Finally, slides should support the speaker with rich media, and genuine practice, not rigid rehearsal, allows for spontaneity and authenticity, ultimately boosting personal and career visibility. — William Arruda, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026

Alongside the performance spaces, visitors will find exhibition galleries, rehearsal studios, educational facilities, screening rooms, restaurants, libraries and a suite of public spaces. — New Atlas, 5 July 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