rehearsal
Americannoun
-
a session of exercise, drill, or practice, usually private, in preparation for a public performance, ceremony, etc..
a play rehearsal; a wedding rehearsal.
-
the act of rehearsing.
-
a repeating or relating.
a rehearsal of grievances.
noun
-
a session of practising a play, concert, speech etc, in preparation for public performance
-
the act of going through or recounting; recital
rehearsal of his own virtues was his usual occupation
-
being prepared for public performance
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
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
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Theater - Introductory
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Psychology
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
A rehearsal dinner is due to take place on Thursday at the venue.
From BBC • Jul. 2, 2026
The BBC's US media partner, CBS News, reported on Tuesday that the couple are planning a rehearsal dinner for about 100 people at the arena's Infosys Theater.
From BBC • Jul. 1, 2026
The third season opens with the sound of Weaver breathing deeply in a dress rehearsal for her solo in a DCC stage show.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 28, 2026
He told everyone it was a pleasure to be there as a dress rehearsal for testifying before Congress.
From Salon • Jun. 12, 2026
Not long afterward, Orson Welles took a break from his Danton’s Death rehearsal to call the studio.
From "Spooked!" by Gail Jarrow
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.
