rehab

noun

re·​hab ˈrē-ˌhab 

often attributive

1

: the action or process of rehabilitating : rehabilitation

especially : a program for rehabilitating especially drug or alcohol abusers

2

: a rehabilitated building or dwelling

rehab verb

rehabber

ˈrē-ˌha-bər 

noun

Synonyms

• comeback
• convalescence
• healing
• mending
• rally
• recovery
• recuperation
• rehabilitation
• snapback

Examples of rehab in a Sentence

The rehab for his leg injury is going well.

the accident victim had to undergo months of rehab before she could walk again

Recent Examples on the Web

His rehab from surgery won't be finished before opening day, either. —Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 17 Jan. 2025

This is treated with rehab to improve your flexibility. —Harlan Selesnick, Miami Herald, 16 Jan. 2025

However, after fleeing from the rehab center, he was found in a hotel in Deerfield Beach, Fla. —Emma Kershaw, People.com, 14 Jan. 2025

This lower-limb medical device helps with standing up and walking through self-balancing and hands-free functionality, and can be utilized in rehab centers and hospitals to lighten the cognitive load and physical strain on therapists. —Marc Saltzman, USA TODAY, 9 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

short for rehabilitation or rehabilitate

First Known Use

1941, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

rehab

noun

re·​hab ˈrē-ˌhab 

often attributive

: rehabilitation

especially : a program for rehabilitating especially drug or alcohol abusers