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

Washington and Seoul say their drills are defensive in nature, but North Korea calls them an invasion rehearsal and often reacts with weapons tests. — Hyung-Jin Kim, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026

Baum und Pferdgarten’s collection was inspired by what dancers wear offstage between rehearsals and classes. — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 19 Aug. 2026

Broadway, with its relentless pace and throw-you-into-the-deep-end approach to rehearsal, provided a similar challenge. — Daniel D'addario, Variety, 19 Aug. 2026

Under the two-year closure plan, programming and the building's JFK memorial would be moved to the smaller, adjacent rehearsal facility known as The REACH, according to the filing. — Steven Portnoy, ABC News, 19 Aug. 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

• 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