# rehabilitation

/ˌɹiəˌbɪɫəˈteɪʃən/ (US) · /ɹɪhəbˌɪlɪtˈeɪʃən/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/rehabilitation
Updated: 2026-05-02

## Definition

the process of helping someone return to a healthy or normal life after an illness, injury, or time in prison. It focuses on teaching new skills or fixing old problems so the person can succeed again.

For teachers: the process of restoring someone to health or normal life through training and therapy after imprisonment, addiction, or illness. Often implies a structured program of psychological or physical recovery.

## Examples

- The athlete is undergoing rehabilitation for a serious knee injury.
- The prison's new focus on rehabilitation includes vocational training and mental health counseling for all inmates.
- Effective rehabilitation requires a multidisciplinary approach that addresses both the physiological damage and the psychological barriers to social reintegration.

## Usage notes

- Often used in the shortened form 'rehab' in informal contexts; frequently follows the verbs 'undergo' or 'complete'.

---

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.