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rehabilitate

[ree-huh-bil-i-teyt, ree-uh-]
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verb (used with object), re·ha·bil·i·tat·ed, re·ha·bil·i·tat·ing.

to restore to a condition of good health, ability to work, or the like.
to restore to good condition, operation, or management, as a bankrupt business.
to reestablish the good reputation of (a person, one's character or name, etc.).
to restore formally to former capacity, standing, rank, rights, or privileges.

verb (used without object), re·ha·bil·i·tat·ed, re·ha·bil·i·tat·ing.

to undergo rehabilitation.

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RELATED WORDS

repair, overhaul, recovery, reclamation, improvement, reconstruction, reformation

Nearby words

  1. regurgitate,
  2. regurgitation,
  3. regurgitation jaundice,
  4. rehab,
  5. rehabilitant,
  6. rehabilitation,
  7. rehabilitation department,
  8. rehash,
  9. rehearing,
  10. rehearsal

Origin of rehabilitate

1570–80; < Medieval Latin rehabilitātus, past participle of rehabilitāre to restore. See re-, habilitate
Related forms
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for rehabilitation

British Dictionary definitions for rehabilitation

rehabilitation

noun

the act or process of rehabilitating
med
  1. the treatment of physical disabilities by massage, electrotherapy, or exercises
  2. (as modifier)rehabilitation centre

rehabilitate

verb (tr)

to help (a person who has acquired a disability or addiction or who has just been released from prison) to readapt to society or a new job, as by vocational guidance, retraining, or therapy
to restore to a former position or rank
to restore the good reputation of
Derived Formsrehabilitative, adjective

Word Origin for rehabilitate

C16: from Medieval Latin rehabilitāre to restore, from re- + Latin habilitās skill, ability
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for rehabilitation
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Medicine definitions for rehabilitation

rehabilitate

[rē′hə-bĭl′ĭ-tāt′]

v.

To restore to good health or useful life, as through therapy and education.
To restore to good condition, operation, or capacity.
Related formsre′ha•bil′i•ta′tion n.re′ha•bil′i•ta′tive adj.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Culture definitions for rehabilitation

rehabilitation

In politics, the restoration to favor of a political leader whose views or actions were formerly considered unacceptable. (Compare nonperson.)

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.