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

As rehearsals unfold under the director’s bizarre, often humiliating techniques, the actors clash over their wildly opposing philosophies, each trying to outdo the other while navigating the absurdity of the creative process. —Travis Bean, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025

Arndt got the gig in spring 2015 four days before rehearsals began when Kenneth Welsh bowed out. —Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 29 Mar. 2025

That, plus the fact intense rehearsals for those takes were required beforehand, was a similar energy to performing live on stage — where there is no room for error. —Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 28 Mar. 2025

The expedition will take place in between Perry’s rehearsals for the Lifetimes Tour and the trek’s kickoff in Mexico City April 23. —Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 27 Mar. 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