rehabilitate

verb

re·​ha·​bil·​i·​tate ˌrē-ə-ˈbi-lə-ˌtāt How to pronounce rehabilitate (audio) ˌrē-hə- How to pronounce rehabilitate (audio)
rehabilitated; rehabilitating

transitive verb

1
a
: to restore to a former capacity : reinstate
b
: to restore to good repute : reestablish the good name of
2
a
: to restore to a former state (as of efficiency, good management, or solvency)
rehabilitate slum areas
b
: to restore or bring to a condition of health or useful and constructive activity
rehabilitative adjective

Examples of rehabilitate in a Sentence

The clinic rehabilitates drug addicts. He's still rehabilitating the knee he injured last summer. They try to rehabilitate horses that have suffered injuries. The program is intended to rehabilitate criminals. The country has rehabilitated its image since the war. The city plans to rehabilitate its slum areas.
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.
If the opposition can keep its gains, maintain cohesion and rehabilitate its image among Syrians, Assad may be forced into serious concessions in exchange for his survival. Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 4 Dec. 2024 The current group of owners, which includes actor Ty Burrell, purchased the out-of-shape establishment in 2011, rehabilitating it and transforming it into one of Salt Lake City's most popular destinations for craft cocktails. Kim Bojórquez, Axios, 3 Dec. 2024 Since then, Depp has attempted to, somewhat successfully, rehabilitate his image in Hollywood and with the public at large. Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 1 Dec. 2024 Gascón praised the work Lyle and Erik Menendez did behind bars to rehabilitate themselves and help other inmates. November 2024 On Nov. 5, Gascón lost his race for reelection to Nathan Hochman. Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 27 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for rehabilitate 

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin rehabilitatus, past participle of rehabilitare, from Latin re- + Late Latin habilitare to habilitate

First Known Use

circa 1581, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of rehabilitate was circa 1581

Dictionary Entries Near rehabilitate

Cite this Entry

“Rehabilitate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rehabilitate. Accessed 23 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

rehabilitate

verb
re·​ha·​bil·​i·​tate ˌrē-(h)ə-ˈbil-ə-ˌtāt How to pronounce rehabilitate (audio)
rehabilitated; rehabilitating
1
: to restore to a former status or reputation
2
a
: to restore to a state of efficiency, good management, or repair
rehabilitate slum areas
b
: to restore to a condition of health or useful and constructive activity
rehabilitate criminals
rehabilitation noun

Medical Definition

rehabilitate

transitive verb
re·​ha·​bil·​i·​tate ˌrē-(h)ə-ˈbil-ə-ˌtāt How to pronounce rehabilitate (audio)
rehabilitated; rehabilitating
: to restore or bring to a condition of health or useful and constructive activity
rehabilitate patients with hip fractures

Legal Definition

rehabilitate

transitive verb
re·​ha·​bil·​i·​tate ˌrē-ə-ˈbi-lə-ˌtāt, ˌrē-hə- How to pronounce rehabilitate (audio)
rehabilitated; rehabilitating
1
: to restore to a former capacity
specifically : to restore credibility to (a witness or testimony)
the State simply brought out all of the prior statements to qualify or explain the inconsistency and to rehabilitate the witness People v. Page, 550 N.E.2d 248 (1990)
compare impeach

Note: A witness whose trial testimony is inconsistent with his or her pretrial usually sworn statements is considered impeached. Such a witness may be rehabilitated usually on redirect examination. There are various state and federal evidentiary rules governing what evidence (as character evidence) is admissible to rehabilitate a witness.

2
a
: to restore to a former state (as of good repair or solvency)
if the debtor wishes to liquidate rather than reorganize or rehabilitate the farming operationJ. H. Williamson
b
: to restore (as a convicted criminal defendant) to a useful and constructive place in society through therapy, job training, and other counseling
rehabilitation noun

More from Merriam-Webster on rehabilitate

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