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

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."

Example Sentences

AFP attended a recent rehearsal at the Theatre des Trois Pierrots in Saint-Cloud, west of Paris.

From Barron's • May 4, 2026

Besides an enormous stage, blue velvet curtains, a mixing console and safe catwalks, the building also features new classrooms and rehearsal spaces.

From Los Angeles Times • May 4, 2026

At a jazz club, they meet Brian Jones, a guitarist and blues purist who takes charge, setting rehearsal schedules and making sure the music they played is as close to traditional American blues as possible.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

Freezing weather meant Nasa had to postpone the first full dress rehearsal as it was too cold to fuel the SLS rocket.

From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026

She had felt it in every rehearsal, in the quiet moments she practiced with Lena.

From "Night Owls" by A.R. Vishny

Related Words

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