English · Word Candidate

rehearsal

/ɹɪˈhɝsl̩/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: rehearsals

Sense 1

Meaning · English

The practising of something which is to be performed before an audience, usually to test or improve the interaction between several participating people, or to allow technical adjustments with respect to staging to be done.

Noun

Examples

After modifications had been effected by the builders, a rehearsal of electric operation was held on September 17. A complete day's timetable was run through and apparently all went well, except for insulator trouble with the overhead wires near Anniesland; a further rehearsal was held on the follow

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

A preparatory activity analogous to a rehearsal (sense 1).

Noun

Examples

The forest fires are just a rehearsal for the devastation that will be caused if climate change continues to worsen.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “rehearsal” mean?

Is “rehearsal” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.