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

• dry run
• practice
• practise
• trial

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

The night before the Rio concert, the pop star surprised beachgoers on Copacabana by taking the stage for a rehearsal. —Christopher Ulloa, CNN Money, 4 May 2025

During a rehearsal in New Mexico on Oct. 21, 2021, Baldwin’s gun discharged a live bullet, killing 42-year-old cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza. —Jane Onyanga-Omara, USA Today, 3 May 2025

In fifth grade, Meester got a part in a play and went there every day after school for rehearsal. —Amy Kaufman, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2025

In October 2021, the movie's cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins, died after a prop gun held by star and producer Alec Baldwin discharged live rounds during rehearsals on set at Bonanza Creek Ranch in New Mexico. —Jessica Wang, EW.com, 1 May 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