rehabilitation
noun
re·ha·bil·i·ta·tion
ˌrē-ə-ˌbi-lə-ˈtā-shən 
ˌrē-hə-
plural rehabilitations
: the action, process, or result of rehabilitating or of being rehabilitated: such as
a
: restoration especially by therapeutic means to an improved condition of physical function
MCL injuries alone rarely necessitate surgery and heal with rest and rehabilitation.—
Shira Springer
Shira SpringerThe handsome barn-style building is used as a wildlife rehabilitation center, so you'll see mending hawks, eagles, or owls perching.—Lora J. Finnegan
Lora J. Finnegan
also
: the process of restoring a person to a drug- or alcohol-free state
… the tabloid feeding frenzy surrounding his drug bust and ensuing rehabilitation for heroin addiction last year. —Joyce Millman
Joyce Millman
b
: the process of restoring someone (such as a criminal) to a useful and constructive place in society
the rehabilitation of prisoners
a prison rehabilitation program
c
: the restoration of something damaged or deteriorated to a prior good condition
the rehabilitation of the neighborhood
the rehabilitation of a person's reputation
Synonyms
Examples of rehabilitation in a Sentence
his rehabilitation from the flu was brief, and he was up and working again within a few days
Recent Examples on the Web
The year-long program challenges participants with counseling, rehabilitation, and court appearances.
—John "johnny" Weekes, Sun Sentinel, 26 June 2024
Dean Kremer, who Hyde said Monday will likely need another minor league rehabilitation start before rejoining the major league rotation, might force one of Irvin, Suárez or Povich out of the five-man group.
—Taylor Lyons, Baltimore Sun, 26 June 2024
Gonzales and his attorneys pointed to his traumatic upbringing and his rehabilitation – illustrated by his Christian faith – as reasons to spare his life, the petition shows.
—Dakin Andone, CNN, 25 June 2024
Lackey-Garcia made an unplanned trip to meet with Elizabeth Waits, a rehabilitation mentor, the day of the attack, Gotha said.
—Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 25 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for rehabilitation 
John "johnny" Weekes, Sun Sentinel, 26 June 2024
Dean Kremer, who Hyde said Monday will likely need another minor league rehabilitation start before rejoining the major league rotation, might force one of Irvin, Suárez or Povich out of the five-man group.
—Taylor Lyons, Baltimore Sun, 26 June 2024
Gonzales and his attorneys pointed to his traumatic upbringing and his rehabilitation – illustrated by his Christian faith – as reasons to spare his life, the petition shows.
—Dakin Andone, CNN, 25 June 2024
Lackey-Garcia made an unplanned trip to meet with Elizabeth Waits, a rehabilitation mentor, the day of the attack, Gotha said.
—Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 25 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for rehabilitation
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rehabilitation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near rehabilitation
Cite this Entry
“Rehabilitation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rehabilitation. Accessed 7 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
rehabilitation
noun
re·ha·bil·i·ta·tion
ˌrē-(h)ə-ˌbil-ə-ˈtā-shən
often attributive
1
: the action or process of rehabilitating or of being rehabilitated: as
a
: the physical restoration of a sick or disabled person by therapeutic measures and reeducation to participation in the activities of a normal life within the limitations of the person's physical disability
rehabilitation after coronary occlusion
b
: the process of restoring an individual to a useful and constructive place in society especially through some form of vocational, correctional, or therapeutic retraining
2
: the result of rehabilitating : the state of being rehabilitated
rehabilitation of the patient
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