rehab

noun

re·​hab ˈrē-ˌhab How to pronounce rehab (audio)
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 noun

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The veteran, who has been recovering from left knee inflammation, is slated to make his third rehab start Tuesday and work his way up to approximately 70 pitches. Sarah Jean Maher, New York Times, 22 June 2025 Three weeks later, with his rehab program hinging on continued fact-finding, strengthening his shoulder and trying to get his long, thoracic nerve to fire at an appropriate level again, the Padres starting pitcher’s faith remains unshaken. Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 June 2025 He was ordered to rehab but was later kicked out of a rehab facility and spent over two months in a Los Angeles County jail before he was released in June 2014, as the AP reported at the time. Jon Haworth, ABC News, 20 June 2025 His command had been surprisingly consistent during a minor-league rehab stint, collecting 16 strikeouts against only one walk in three outings with triple-A Oklahoma City. Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for rehab

Word History

Etymology

short for rehabilitation or rehabilitate

First Known Use

1941, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of rehab was in 1941

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rehab.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rehab. Accessed 28 Jun. 2025.

Medical Definition

rehab

noun
re·​hab ˈrē-ˌhab How to pronounce rehab (audio)
often attributive
: rehabilitation
especially : a program for rehabilitating especially drug or alcohol abusers
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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