B2 verb Neutral

rehabilitation

/ˌriː.əˌbɪl.ɪˈteɪ.ʃən/

The process of restoring someone to a healthy, functional, or socially acceptable state through training, therapy, or medical treatment. It can apply to people recovering from injury, addiction, or criminal behavior, as well as the restoration of damaged buildings or environments.

Examples

3 of 5
1

He is doing exercises at home as part of his physical rehabilitation after the surgery.

He is doing exercises at home as part of his physical rehabilitation after the surgery.

2

The judicial system should prioritize the rehabilitation of young offenders over harsh punishment.

The judicial system should prioritize the rehabilitation of young offenders over harsh punishment.

3

The old factory is undergoing a total rehabilitation to become a modern art gallery.

The old factory is undergoing a total rehabilitation to become a modern art gallery.

Word Family

Noun
rehabilitation
Verb
rehabilitate
Adjective
rehabilitative
Related
rehabilitant
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Memory Tip

Think of 'Re-Habit': Helping someone get their healthy 'habits' back so they can return to their 'habitat' (normal life).

Quick Quiz

After his knee surgery, the athlete spent several months in ________ to regain his strength.

Correct!

The correct answer is: rehabilitation

Examples

1

He is doing exercises at home as part of his physical rehabilitation after the surgery.

everyday

He is doing exercises at home as part of his physical rehabilitation after the surgery.

2

The judicial system should prioritize the rehabilitation of young offenders over harsh punishment.

formal

The judicial system should prioritize the rehabilitation of young offenders over harsh punishment.

3

The old factory is undergoing a total rehabilitation to become a modern art gallery.

informal

The old factory is undergoing a total rehabilitation to become a modern art gallery.

4

Empirical data indicates that vocational rehabilitation significantly reduces the rate of recidivism among former prisoners.

academic

Empirical data indicates that vocational rehabilitation significantly reduces the rate of recidivism among former prisoners.

5

Our firm specializes in the rehabilitation of distressed urban properties to increase their market value.

business

Our firm specializes in the rehabilitation of distressed urban properties to increase their market value.

Word Family

Noun
rehabilitation
Verb
rehabilitate
Adjective
rehabilitative
Related
rehabilitant

Common Collocations

rehabilitation center rehabilitation center
undergo rehabilitation undergo rehabilitation
vocational rehabilitation vocational rehabilitation
drug rehabilitation drug rehabilitation
physical rehabilitation physical rehabilitation

Common Phrases

cardiac rehabilitation

cardiac rehabilitation

social rehabilitation

social rehabilitation

rehabilitation program

rehabilitation program

Often Confused With

rehabilitation vs habitation

Habitation refers to the act of living in a place, while rehabilitation is the process of restoring something to a good state.

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Usage Notes

The word is frequently shortened to 'rehab' in informal speech, particularly when referring to addiction treatment or physical therapy. It is used in medical, legal, and architectural contexts.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often use 'rehabilitation' only for people, but it is also used for buildings and land. Do not confuse it with 'rest', as it implies an active, structured process.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of 'Re-Habit': Helping someone get their healthy 'habits' back so they can return to their 'habitat' (normal life).

📖

Word Origin

Derived from the Medieval Latin 'rehabilitatus', which means 'to restore to a former rank or privilege'.

Grammar Patterns

Used as an uncountable noun for the general process Used as a countable noun when referring to specific types or programs Often functions as a noun adjunct (e.g., rehabilitation clinic)
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Cultural Context

In many legal systems, there is an ongoing cultural and political debate regarding whether prisons should focus more on rehabilitation or on retribution.

Quick Quiz

After his knee surgery, the athlete spent several months in ________ to regain his strength.

Correct!

The correct answer is: rehabilitation

Related Words

to

A1

Used to indicate the place, person, or thing that someone or something moves toward. It can also mark the recipient of an action or the limit of a range.

and

A1

A primary conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses that are grammatically equal. It indicates addition, a sequence of events, or a relationship between two things.

a

A1

A word used before a singular noun that is not specific or is being mentioned for the first time. It is used only before words that begin with a consonant sound to indicate one of something.

that

A1

This word is a demonstrative pronoun used to indicate a specific person, object, or idea that is further away in space or time from the speaker. It is also used to refer back to something that has already been mentioned or to introduce a clause that identifies something.

I

A1

The pronoun 'I' is used by a speaker or writer to refer to themselves as the subject of a verb. It is the first-person singular subject pronoun in English and is always capitalized regardless of its position in a sentence.

for

A1

Used to show who is intended to have or use something, or to explain the purpose or reason for an action. It is also frequently used to indicate a specific duration of time.

not

A1

A function word used to express negation or denial. It is primarily used to make a sentence or phrase negative, often following an auxiliary verb or the verb 'to be'.

with

A1

A preposition used to indicate that people or things are together, in the same place, or performing an action together. It can also describe the instrument used to perform an action or a characteristic that someone or something has.

he

A1

A pronoun used to refer to a male person or animal that has already been mentioned or is easily identified. It functions as the subject of a sentence.

you

A1

Used to refer to the person or people that the speaker is addressing. It is the second-person pronoun used for both singular and plural subjects and objects.

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