rehearsal

American  

[ri-hur-suhl] / rɪˈhɜr səl /

noun

1. a session of exercise, drill, or practice, usually private, in preparation for a public performance, ceremony, etc..

   a play rehearsal; a wedding rehearsal.

2. the act of rehearsing.

3. a repeating or relating.

   a rehearsal of grievances.

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rehearsal British  

/ rɪˈhɜːsəl /

noun

1. a session of practising a play, concert, speech etc, in preparation for public performance

2. the act of going through or recounting; recital

   rehearsal of his own virtues was his usual occupation

3. being prepared for public performance

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Other Word Forms

• prerehearsal adjective

Etymology

Origin of rehearsal

First recorded in 1350–1400, rehearsal is from the Middle English word rehersaille. See rehearse, -al ²

Example Sentences

For me, it was important to give us the rehearsal space, to experiment with the physicality of the space and how we relate to each other.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

An earlier dress rehearsal will be used to test out material and, as in the US show, not everything from rehearsals will make it on to the live version.

From BBC • Mar. 20, 2026

Back in the rehearsal room, Jonas focuses on laying out the structure before he stitches the pieces together into a cohesive trilogy.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 13, 2026

The Nasa team said they were not going to attempt another so-called "wet dress rehearsal" once the rocket had been rolled out to the launchpad.

From BBC • Mar. 12, 2026

"It's the dress rehearsal, and I don't have any shoes to wear!"

From "The Cinderella Ballet Mystery: Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew, #4" by Carolyn Keene

Related Words

• drill
• practice session
• reading
• recital
• tryout
• workout