# rehabilitate

/ˌɹiəˈbɪɫəˌteɪt/ (US) · /ɹɪhəbˈɪlɪtˌeɪt/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/rehabilitate
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

to help someone who has been in prison or is sick to get back to normal life. It can also mean to repair something that was broken or damaged.

For teachers: to restore someone to a normal life after imprisonment or illness; to repair or restore something to a former condition. Transitive — requires a direct object.

## Examples

- The government is working to rehabilitate former prisoners.
- The hospital provides a comprehensive program to rehabilitate patients who have suffered serious injuries to their legs.
- The architect's goal was to rehabilitate the historic building without removing its original features, ensuring the structure remained a cultural landmark for future generations.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.