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

One of David’s standout moments was going from a beginner trombone player as a freshman to making Mid-State Band this year (2024) as a senior and organizing sectional rehearsals to improve the group’s cohesiveness. —Andy Humbles, The Tennessean, 22 Dec. 2024

The role was recast, but after a couple of days of rehearsals, the producers urged him to come back. —Christina Dugan Ramirez, Fox News, 20 Dec. 2024

Thursday Our bridal party boarded a shuttle bound 30 minutes south to Setubal, a small fisherman’s town outside of Lisbon, for our rehearsal. —Iman Hariri-Kia, Vogue, 19 Dec. 2024

In an interview with IndieWire, Grylls and Crane reflected on the unique experience of trying to conduct private rehearsals within a public game. —Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 19 Dec. 2024

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

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