What does "rehearsal" mean?

1. (performance practice) a time when actors, musicians, or dancers practice a show before the real performance. 2. (preparatory activity) practicing a speech or a difficult conversation before it actually happens.

How do you use "rehearsal"?

Often used with the verbs 'have', 'hold', or 'attend'.

rehearsal

US //ɹiˈhɝsəɫ// UK //ɹɪhˈɜːsəl// re·hearsal

1 performance practice (n.)
B1 Intermediate Theatre

a time when actors, musicians, or dancers practice a show before the real performance.

a session in which a play, concert, or other performance is practised in its entirety to ensure coordination and technical readiness.

Example

The band had a final rehearsal the night before their big concert.

Example

The director called for an additional dress rehearsal to ensure that the complex lighting cues were perfectly synchronised with the actors' movements.

Usage

Often used with the verbs 'have', 'hold', or 'attend'.
- practice
- run through
- dry run
- performance
- show
2 preparatory activity (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

practicing a speech or a difficult conversation before it actually happens.

a preparatory exercise or mental practice intended to simulate a future event or social interaction.

Example

She did a quick rehearsal of her presentation in front of the mirror.

Example

Mental rehearsal is a common technique used by athletes to visualise successful performance before the actual competition begins.
- preparation
- trial

Origin

From Middle English rehercel, rehersail, rehersall, from rehersen and apparently partly Middle French rehercel. By surface analysis, rehearse + -al.