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

Robert had a special guest during last week’s rehearsals for the dance competition series. —Erin Clements, PEOPLE, 10 Nov. 2025

The actor Noah Segan recalled Johnson moving furniture around in his living room to host rehearsals, and making burgers for the cast. —Anna Russell, New Yorker, 10 Nov. 2025

During rehearsal, Armstrong seemed free of any cellophane wrapping. —Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 9 Nov. 2025

Variety caught up with Thayil last weekend during a break from rehearsals for the show. —Jem Aswad, Variety, 7 Nov. 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