late 14c., "restatement, repetition of the words of another," from rehearse + -al (2), or from Old French rehearsal "a repeating." Sense in theater and music, "act of rehearsing," is from 1570s. Pre-wedding rehearsal dinner attested by 1953.
he missed too many rehearsals
a rehearsal will be held the day before the wedding
rehab
rehabilitate
rehabilitation
rehash
re-hear
rehearsal
rehearse
reheat
Rehoboth
rehouse
rehydrate