rehearse

verb re·hearse \ ri-ˈhərs \

|Updated on: 19 Aug 2018

Examples: rehearse in a Sentence

Definition of rehearse

rehearsed; rehearsing

transitive verb

1 a : to say again : repeat

b : to recite aloud in a formal manner

2 : to present an account of : relate

rehearse a familiar story

3 : to recount in order : enumerate

rehearsed their demands

4 a : to give a rehearsal of

b : to train or make proficient by rehearsal

5 : to perform or practice as if in a rehearsal

intransitive verb

: to engage in a rehearsal

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rehearser

noun

See rehearse defined for English-language learners

See rehearse defined for kids

Examples of rehearse in a Sentence

The orchestra is rehearsing a piece by Schumann.
The band stayed up late rehearsing for the big show.
We were allowed to watch the director rehearse the dancers.
lawyers rehearsing their closing arguments
He rehearsed his dance moves in front of the mirror.

Recent Examples of rehearse from the Web

The actor George Takei, who was 5 years old when he was sent with his family to a camp in Arkansas, was rehearsing for a role when his husband interrupted him with some news this week from the Supreme Court.

— james hohmann, Washington Post, "The Daily 202: Abortion is already emerging as a top issue in the midterms with Supreme Court vacancy," 29 June 2018
The purge has come as a jolt to choristers, many of whom have sung with the TFC for decades, sacrificing hundreds of hours each year to rehearse and perform.

— malcolm gay, BostonGlobe.com, "Harsh notes amid purge of BSO’s chorus," 27 June 2018
But the constitutional questions that Kavanaugh would help resolve on the Court are so well-rehearsed that there will be a ritualistic quality to the debate that lends itself to a simple partisan outcome.

— ed kilgore, Daily Intelligencer, "Kavanaugh’s SCOTUS Confirmation Is in the GOP’s Hands," 10 July 2018
One is struck by the intricacy and pinpoint precision of what must be endlessly rehearsed routines and, above all, the consistent level of coordination, teamwork, mutual dependence, and trust required to execute their duties.

— don aucoin, BostonGlobe.com, "A Cirque du Soleil show that’s as interested in ‘Ahh’ as ‘Wow’," 29 June 2018
Tuesday’s operation was rehearsed and carried out with quiet efficiency.

— Washington Post, "Immigration agents arrest 114 in landscaper sting," 5 June 2018
The Warriors are so rehearsed in manipulating switches at this point that if Love is on the floor, Curry will find him.

— rob mahoney, SI.com, "Stephen Curry's Shooting Bucks Conventional Math, Breaks Cavs' Resolve in Game 2," 4 June 2018
Pictured are Minhyeok Chang, Andrew Lofredo, Lara Beckius and Caroline Mascoli, rehearsing a tap number with the cast.

— Courant Community, "Community News For The Valley Edition," 24 Apr. 2018
Hafsat Abiola-Costello, one of Abiola's daughters and an activist herself, lauded Buhari's decision, saying she was told by her late mother that her father was rehearsing his victory speech when the results were annulled.

— bukola adebayo, CNN, "Nigeria's Buhari says sorry for presidential election annulled 25 years ago," 14 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'rehearse.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of rehearse

Middle English rehersen, from Anglo-French rehercer, from re- + hercer to harrow, from herce harrow — more at hearse

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1b

See Words from the same year

rehearse Synonyms

Synonyms

chart, chronicle, describe, narrate, recite, recount, relate, report, tell;

detail, enumerate, itemize, particularize;

bare, disclose, divulge, expose, let on (about), reveal;

delineate, depict, express, render, sketch;

Phrases

set forth;

REHEARSE Defined for English Language Learners

rehearse

verb

Definition of rehearse for English Language Learners

: to prepare for a public performance of a play, a piece of music, etc., by practicing the performance
: to direct (a group of people) as they prepare for a public performance
: to say or do (something) several times in order to practice

REHEARSE Defined for Kids

rehearse

verb re·hearse \ ri-ˈhərs \

Definition of rehearse for Students

rehearsed; rehearsing

: to practice in private in preparation for a public performance

We rehearsed our play.

History for rehearse

A device called a harrow is used to break up and smooth soil. Sometimes the first run with the harrow does not break up all the lumps of earth, and the farmer has to take the harrow over the ground more than once. The medieval French verb rehercer (from herce, “harrow”) meant “to go over again with a harrow.” English borrowed this verb as rehersen, later rehearse. When we rehearse something we are, so to speak, going over the same ground again and again.