rehabilitates; rehabilitated; rehabilitating
1
: to bring (someone or something) back to a normal, healthy condition after an illness, injury, drug problem, etc.
The clinic rehabilitates drug addicts.
He's still rehabilitating the knee he injured last summer.
They try to rehabilitate horses that have suffered injuries.
She's still rehabilitating [=recovering] from her ankle injury.
2
: to teach (a criminal in prison) to live a normal and productive life
The program is intended to rehabilitate criminals.
3
: to bring (someone or something) back to a good condition : restore
The country has rehabilitated its image since the war.
The city plans to rehabilitate its slum areas.
Cite this Entry
“Rehabilitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/rehabilitate. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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