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

In the video, the SipMARGS founder and her partner DWTS pro Val Chmerkovskiy can be seen in the Dancing with the Stars rehearsal room, attempting what appears to be a very technical, two-person cartwheel. —Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 29 Sep. 2025

Eugene plays the baritone horn and consistently performs at a high level during rehearsals and performances, Cane Ridge Director of Bands Johnny Croft said. —Andy Humbles, Nashville Tennessean, 26 Sep. 2025

Adriana should have understood that this was important to Julia and at least texted her after rehearsal to see how the event went. —Brian Moylan, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2025

Davis’s former coach made a surprise visit during rehearsals, adding motivation ahead of the performance. —Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 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