rehabilitation

/rihəbɪlɪˈteɪʃɪn/

/rihəbɪlɪˈteɪʃən/

Other forms: rehabilitations

Rehabilitation is the act of restoring something to its original state, like the rehabilitation of the forest that had once been cleared for use as an amusement park.

The noun rehabilitation comes from the Latin prefix re-, meaning “again” and habitare, meaning “make fit.” When something falls in to disrepair and needs to be restored to a better condition, it needs rehabilitation. People seek rehabilitation after an accident or surgery to restore their strength, or to learn to live without drugs or other addictive substances or behaviors.

Definitions of rehabilitation

1. noun

   the treatment of physical disabilities by massage and electrotherapy and exercises
   synonyms: rehab

   type of:

   physiatrics, physical therapy, physiotherapy

   therapy that uses physical agents: exercise and massage and other modalities
2. noun

   the restoration of someone to a useful place in society
   types:

   correctional rehabilitation

   providing penal custody or probation or parole for convicted offenders

   physical rehabilitation, physical restoration, therapeutic rehabilitation

   providing help for disabled persons; the removal or reduction of disabilities

   vocational rehabilitation

   providing training in a specific trade with the aim of gaining employment

   type of:

   restoration

   the act of restoring something or someone to a satisfactory state
3. noun

   vindication of a person's character and the re-establishment of that person's reputation
   type of:

   exoneration, vindication

   the act of vindicating or defending against criticism or censure etc.
4. noun

   the conversion of wasteland into land suitable for use of habitation or cultivation
   synonyms: reclamation, renewal

   types:

   re-afforestation, reforestation

   the restoration (replanting) of a forest that had been reduced by fire or cutting

   urban renewal

   the clearing and rebuilding and redevelopment of urban slums

   type of:

   restoration

   the act of restoring something or someone to a satisfactory state