rehabilitate
[ ree-huh-bil-i-teyt, ree-uh- ]
/ ˌri həˈbɪl ɪˌteɪt, ˌri ə- /
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.
RELATED CONTENT
Sever And Other Trending Words On Dictionary.com1. What caused the biggest jump in searches on dictionary.com this week? The word rehabilitation had a whole lot of people scratching their heads. The term took a 607% leap in searches over the prior week. The spike followed news out of Connecticut that a former University of Hartford student named Brianna Brochu had been sentenced by a judge to “accelerated rehabilitation.” In Brochu’s case, …
RELATED WORDS
Nearby words
regurgitate, regurgitation, regurgitation jaundice, rehab, rehabilitant, rehabilitate, rehabilitation, rehabilitation department, rehash, rehearing, rehearsal
Origin of rehabilitate
1570–80; < Medieval Latin rehabilitātus, past participle of rehabilitāre to restore. See re-, habilitate
SYNONYMS FOR rehabilitate
Related forms
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for rehabilitative
It means more of a fine or counseling or some sort of program where you don't end up in jail but in a rehabilitative program.
British Dictionary definitions for rehabilitative
rehabilitate
/ (ˌriːəˈbɪlɪˌteɪt) /
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
Medicine definitions for rehabilitative
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.