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

The handsome barn-style building is used as a wildlife rehabilitation center, so you'll see mending hawks, eagles, or owls perching.

—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

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

• comeback
• convalescence
• healing
• mending
• rally
• recovery
• recuperation
• rehab
• snapback

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

Buehler’s lumps have been no surprise, either, not with the 29-year-old returning from a second surgery that required nearly two years of rehabilitation. —Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2024

Surgery is usually successful in returning you to play with minimal symptoms after a period of physical therapy and rehabilitation post op. —Harlan Selesnick, Miami Herald, 10 May 2024

The Sussexes will visit a military rehabilitation center and local organizations that support veterans’ welfare, Marquis said. —Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 10 May 2024

The heart of the Norwood Lateral construction is the rehabilitation of three bridges that make up parts of the expressway. —Bebe Hodges, The Enquirer, 9 May 2024

The other eagle, found elsewhere, also required rehabilitation. —Rj Sangosti, The Denver Post, 8 May 2024

And that avenue of rehabilitation actually has been the property’s longest-running use. —Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 May 2024

During the 1950s, Detroit, like other urban cities, had startling numbers of residents suffering from drug abuse and the city became the ideal starting ground for the country's first drug rehabilitation programs. —Amelia Benavides-Colón, Detroit Free Press, 2 May 2024

The cub was then taken to the Appalachian Wildlife Refuge Center, a rehabilitation facility in nearby Candler. —Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 1 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing rehabilitation

• physical medicine and rehabilitation

Medical 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