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

The plan was to film the scene in early September 2022, but that quickly changed, when on the fourth day of rehearsals, the news arrived that Queen Elizabeth had died. —Carolyn Giardina, Variety, 17 Dec. 2024

In February last year, a Dark Eagle system was deployed over 3,100 miles from Washington state to Florida for a full rehearsal of expeditionary hypersonic launch capabilities. —Ryan Chan, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024

Did that six-minute scene require a great deal of rehearsal given all the complex dynamics? —Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Dec. 2024

The orchestra was drawn mostly from the Baltimore Symphony, and rehearsals were held at the Peabody Institute. —Jason Rudy, Baltimore Sun, 8 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