Rehabilitate
/ˌriːhəˈbɪlɪteɪt/
Definitions
- (v.) To restore a person to a former capacity, especially by legal or social means such as after incarceration or disability.
The court ordered programs to rehabilitate offenders before release.
- (v.) To restore rights or status, particularly civil or legal rights, to a person.
The judge sought to rehabilitate the defendant’s voting rights after sentence completion.
Forms
- rehabilitates
- rehabilitated
- rehabilitating
Related terms
See also
Commentary
In legal contexts, rehabilitate often implies restoring legal or social standing beyond physical health, including restoring rights or reintegrating offenders.
This glossary is for general informational and educational purposes only. Definitions are jurisdiction-agnostic but reflect terminology and concepts primarily drawn from English and American legal traditions. Nothing herein constitutes legal advice or creates a lawyer-client relationship. Users should consult qualified counsel for advice on specific matters or jurisdictions.