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Synonyms

rehabilitation

British  
/ ˌriːəˌbɪlɪˈteɪʃən /

noun

  1. the act or process of rehabilitating

  2. med

    1. the treatment of physical disabilities by massage, electrotherapy, or exercises

    2. ( as modifier )

      rehabilitation centre

"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

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


Explanation

Rehabilitation is the act of restoring something to its original state, like the rehabilitation of the forest that had once been cleared for use as an amusement park. The noun rehabilitation comes from the Latin prefix re-, meaning “again” and habitare, meaning “make fit.” When something falls in to disrepair and needs to be restored to a better condition, it needs rehabilitation. People seek rehabilitation after an accident or surgery to restore their strength, or to learn to live without drugs or other addictive substances or behaviors.

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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.

Holder is carrying out his sentence in California State Prison, Corcoran, and will be eligible for parole in November 2039, according to the California Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation database.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 7, 2026

For one, there is Colby Braun, who has worked in the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation for 16 years and is now its director.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 18, 2026

That same day he was transferred to the Bluebell Rehabilitation Unit "at the taxpayers' expense" and was discharged two weeks later, the court was told.

From BBC • May 12, 2026

He directed questions about Reyes’ employment to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, which didn’t immediately respond.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026

Dr. Eloesser had traveled the world with the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration.

From "At Last She Stood" by Erin Entrada Kelly

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