dress rehearsal

noun

Synonyms of dress rehearsalnext
1
: a full rehearsal (as of a play) in costume and with stage properties shortly before the first performance
2
: a practice exercise for something to come : dry run

Examples of dress rehearsal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Before his death, Larson had completed the full writing and composition and done a final dress rehearsal, but small decisions still had to be made. — Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2026 The second stage is at PLD’s Teruel test facility for its qualification campaign, including wet dress rehearsal and a static hot-fire test. — Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 23 Oct. 2026 The Hawks had their final dress rehearsal for the season in their exhibition matchup against the Mavericks on Friday. — Lauren Williams, AJC.com, 19 Oct. 2026 The plan for the Lakers had been to turn their fourth preseason game into a dress rehearsal for the upcoming season. — Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dress rehearsal

Word History

First Known Use

1812, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dress rehearsal was in 1812

Rhymes for dress rehearsal

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Browse Nearby Words

dress pattern
dress rehearsal
dress shield
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Cite this Entry

“Dress rehearsal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dress%20rehearsal. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

dress rehearsal

noun
: a rehearsal of a play in costume and with stage properties shortly before the first performance

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