rehabilitation
noun
re·ha·bil·i·ta·tion
ˌrē-ə-ˌbi-lə-ˈtā-shən 
ˌrē-hə-
plural rehabilitations
: the action, process, or result of rehabilitating or of being rehabilitated: such as
a
: restoration especially by therapeutic means to an improved condition of physical function
MCL injuries alone rarely necessitate surgery and heal with rest and rehabilitation.—
Shira Springer
Shira SpringerThe handsome barn-style building is used as a wildlife rehabilitation center, so you'll see mending hawks, eagles, or owls perching.—Lora J. Finnegan
Lora J. Finnegan
also
: the process of restoring a person to a drug- or alcohol-free state
… the tabloid feeding frenzy surrounding his drug bust and ensuing rehabilitation for heroin addiction last year. —Joyce Millman
Joyce Millman
b
: the process of restoring someone (such as a criminal) to a useful and constructive place in society
the rehabilitation of prisoners
a prison rehabilitation program
c
: the restoration of something damaged or deteriorated to a prior good condition
the rehabilitation of the neighborhood
the rehabilitation of a person's reputation
Examples of rehabilitation in a Sentence
his rehabilitation from the flu was brief, and he was up and working again within a few days
Recent Examples on the Web
Besides medications, treatment may also include pulmonary rehabilitation, exercise training and behavioral modifications, according to lung specialists.
—Amy McGorry, Fox News, 8 Mar. 2025
Chadwick of Oxford University Hospitals said experts would be hoping to see the pope move from being acutely sick into receiving rehabilitation therapy.
—Maria Cheng, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2025
Revetment rehabilitation is also proposed for Clark Square Park, Lee Street Beach and the end of Lincoln Street Beach.
—Jennifer Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2025
Weightlessness can also cause weight-bearing bones to lose between 1 percent to 1.5 percent of mineral density per month, which may not be fully restored upon return to Earth with rehabilitation.
—Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rehabilitation
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Amy McGorry, Fox News, 8 Mar. 2025
Chadwick of Oxford University Hospitals said experts would be hoping to see the pope move from being acutely sick into receiving rehabilitation therapy.
—Maria Cheng, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2025
Revetment rehabilitation is also proposed for Clark Square Park, Lee Street Beach and the end of Lincoln Street Beach.
—Jennifer Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2025
Weightlessness can also cause weight-bearing bones to lose between 1 percent to 1.5 percent of mineral density per month, which may not be fully restored upon return to Earth with rehabilitation.
—Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rehabilitation
Cite this Entry
“Rehabilitation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rehabilitation. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
rehabilitation
noun
re·ha·bil·i·ta·tion
ˌrē-(h)ə-ˌbil-ə-ˈtā-shən
often attributive
1
: the action or process of rehabilitating or of being rehabilitated: as
a
: the physical restoration of a sick or disabled person by therapeutic measures and reeducation to participation in the activities of a normal life within the limitations of the person's physical disability
rehabilitation after coronary occlusion
b
: the process of restoring an individual to a useful and constructive place in society especially through some form of vocational, correctional, or therapeutic retraining
2
: the result of rehabilitating : the state of being rehabilitated
rehabilitation of the patient
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