rehearsal

noun

re·​hears·​al ri-ˈhər-səl How to pronounce rehearsal (audio)
Synonyms of rehearsalnext
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

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
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.
In footage shared by attorney and independent journalist Aaron Parnas on Thursday, a group of young dancers were nearly crushed when a large panel plummeted to the stage during a live performance or rehearsal. Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 2 July 2026 Knowing the show is a heavy lift, Ross came into rehearsals with the script already memorized. Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 2 July 2026 Although Edwards said to transform MSG into a wedding would take more than a week, Swift could treat it like the Eras Tour where the set was built and constructed for rehearsals at Rock Lititz in Pennsylvania. Bryan West, USA Today, 1 July 2026 Some of the finer moments for Nemes in the studio were during rehearsals, when the band was just kicking around ideas and jamming. Tina Eves, SPIN, 1 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for rehearsal

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of rehearsal was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rehearsal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rehearsal. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

rehearsal

noun
re·​hears·​al ri-ˈhər-səl How to pronounce rehearsal (audio)
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 How to pronounce rehearsal (audio)
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

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