rehabilitate

3 definitions • 6 examples

to return someone to a good, healthy, or normal life or condition after they have been in prison, been very ill, etc.:

The prison service should try to rehabilitate prisoners so that they can lead normal lives when they leave prison.

Physiotherapy is part of rehabilitating accident victims.

After 20 years in official disgrace, she's been rehabilitated (= given a positive public image again).

to return something to a good condition:

We need to replace or rehabilitate the bridge.

to return someone to a healthy or usual condition or way of living, or to return something to good condition:

The aim is to rehabilitate the prisoners so that they can lead productive lives when they are released.

That builder rehabilitates older housing which he then sells for a profit.