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

Soderbergh watched playback of each rehearsal to ensure the movements felt authentic to the scene and to his character of the ghost, who reacts to the events in specific ways, like hiding behind clothing in Chloe’s closet and floating up and down the stairs in search of the family members. —Emily Zemler, Los Angeles Times, 15 Jan. 2025

This festival will be the culmination of a weekend of rehearsals, lectures, and worship at the Village Church. —Del Mar Times, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Jan. 2025

Detailing the extraordinary journey of double bassist Orin O'Brien, who was the first full-time female member of the New York Philharmonic, this short film captures the glorious world of rehearsals, music classes, tiny apartments, and pure music geekery. —Debby Wolfinsohn, EW.com, 11 Jan. 2025

During one of the rehearsals, Baldwin, 66, was holding a pistol that discharged, fatally killing Hutchins, 42 and injuring director Joel Souza, 51. —Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 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

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