rehearsal
Americannoun
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a session of exercise, drill, or practice, usually private, in preparation for a public performance, ceremony, etc..
a play rehearsal; a wedding rehearsal.
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the act of rehearsing.
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a repeating or relating.
a rehearsal of grievances.
noun
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a session of practising a play, concert, speech etc, in preparation for public performance
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the act of going through or recounting; recital
rehearsal of his own virtues was his usual occupation
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being prepared for public performance
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of rehearsal
First recorded in 1350–1400, rehearsal is from the Middle English word rehersaille. See rehearse, -al 2
Explanation
A rehearsal is a practice, especially for a performance of some kind. You're likely to be nervous about your magic show if the rehearsal goes badly. When you practice for a play, read your speech in front of a mirror, or go through a dance performance before the big show, you're taking part in a rehearsal. Any kind of practice session can be called a rehearsal, like a wedding rehearsal or a musician's rehearsal. The Old French root of rehearsal is rehercier, "go over again." Originally, rehearsal just meant "to say something over again;" in the mid-1500s it began to also mean "practice a play."
Vocabulary lists containing rehearsal
Academy Awards, List 5
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Theater - Introductory
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Psychology
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“The first scene we did together was when he sings the sea shanty. The first rehearsal is just him going, ‘Aawoo,’” Rhys says, expertly capturing Root’s off-kilter delivery.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 8, 2026
On Friday, Belgacem attended a rehearsal for an education sector celebration at Benghazi's newly built stadium.
From Barron's • May 26, 2026
Garden & Gun’s next wedding issue will feature groom’s cakes, which often appear at rehearsal dinners in the south.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026
Luckily, her voice sounded fine during Friday's dress rehearsal; and the singer gave us an insight into the lyrics behind her song, My System, which literally talks about catching an infection… of emotion.
From BBC • May 15, 2026
“No, it’s the toasting fork, with Mother’s shoe on it instead of the bread. Beth’s stage-struck!” cried Meg, and the rehearsal ended in a general burst of laughter.
From "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
