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

North Korea has long described the allies' drills as invasion rehearsals and often uses them as a pretext to dial up its own military demonstrations or weapons testing. —Arkansas Online, 15 Mar. 2026

Her dedication to her craft are evident in every rehearsal and performance. —Heide Janssen, Oc Register, 15 Mar. 2026

In February 2005, the Playhouse opened The Sheila and Hughes Potiker Theatre, providing it with a permanent, year-round 400-seat performance space, as well as extensive rehearsal and technical facilities and permanent administrative offices. —Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026

Pretty Lethal starts in a rehearsal space somewhere in America, with a troupe of prima ballerinas who are headed to a showcase in Budapest but are clearly having trouble synchronizing their efforts. —Jada Yuan, Vulture, 14 Mar. 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