1 : to bring (someone or something) back to a normal, healthy condition after an illness, injury, drug problem, etc.
(+ object)
The clinic rehabilitates drug addicts.
He’s still rehabilitating the knee he injured last summer.
They try to rehabilitate horses that have suffered injuries.
(no object)
She’s still rehabilitating (=recovering ) from her ankle injury.
2 : (+ object) : to teach (a criminal in prison) to live a normal and productive life
The program is intended to rehabilitate criminals.
3 : (+ object) : to bring (someone or something) back to a good condition : RESTORE
The country has rehabilitated its image since the war.
The city plans to rehabilitate its slum areas.