rehab

noun

re·​hab ˈrē-ˌhab 

often attributive

1

: the action or process of rehabilitating : rehabilitation

especially : a program for rehabilitating especially drug or alcohol abusers

2

: a rehabilitated building or dwelling

rehab verb

rehabber

ˈrē-ˌha-bər 

noun

Synonyms of rehab

• rehabilitation
• recovery

Examples of rehab in a Sentence

The rehab for his leg injury is going well.

the accident victim had to undergo months of rehab before she could walk again

Recent Examples on the Web

Canning threw 62 pitches over five innings (1 R, 0 ER) on Tuesday at Albuquerque, and could rejoin the big-league rotation as soon as next week if Sunday’s sixth rehab start goes well. —Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 May 2026

The actress earned her first Oscar nomination as Kym, a former model who is permitted a leave from rehab to attend her sister’s wedding (a towering Rosemarie DeWitt). —Chris Feil, Vulture, 1 May 2026

Meanwhile, Gerrit Cole (Tommy John surgery) is expected to make his next rehab start on Tuesday with High-A Hudson Valley. —Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 1 May 2026

After a setback in his rehab from last year’s elbow surgery — a flexor strain that could sideline him until after the All-Star break — Steele tweeted about the frustration of returning from a long layoff only to get delayed once again. —Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

short for rehabilitation or rehabilitate

First Known Use

1941, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

rehab

noun

re·​hab ˈrē-ˌhab 

often attributive

: rehabilitation

especially : a program for rehabilitating especially drug or alcohol abusers