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

Bensussen said the show’s sound designer, who has also composed original music for the production, has been attending rehearsals and is deeply involved with the collaborative creative process. —Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 22 Feb. 2026

It's not yet known what might be preventing helium from flowing back into the SLS rocket's upper stage following a successful countdown rehearsal test that ended Thursday. —William Harwood, CBS News, 21 Feb. 2026

During the recent rehearsal, meant to mimic launch day operations, the SLS rocket was loaded with and later drained of more than 700,000 gallons of liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen. —Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 20 Feb. 2026

Beyond the studio, CYE’s first year has been packed with variety-show appearances, photoshoots, fan meets, performance schedules, and now concert rehearsals. —Rebecca Cairns, CNN Money, 19 Feb. 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

• 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