visitation

noun

vis·​i·​ta·​tion ˌvi-zə-ˈtā-shən 

1

: an instance of visiting: such as

a

: an official visit (as for inspection)

b

: wake entry 2 sense 3

c

: temporary custody of a child granted to a noncustodial parent

visitation rights

2

a

: a special dispensation of divine favor or wrath

b

: a severe trial : affliction

3

capitalized : the visit of the Virgin Mary to Elizabeth recounted in Luke and celebrated July 2 by a Christian feast

Synonyms

• call
• visit

Examples of visitation in a Sentence

He has visitation rights on the weekends.

the visitation of a diocese by a bishop

Visitation is from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m.

Recent Examples on the Web

At the time of the incident, her son was in her care for a custody visitation, and the two had just returned from a three-day trip to Disneyland. —Samira Asma-Sadeque, People.com, 28 Mar. 2025

He has been denied meaningful access to counsel and any visitation from his family. —Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 11 Mar. 2025

The gang fight led to a lock down of the facility and the suspension of all visitation privileges for at least one month, as the notorious holding facility continues to battle scandals and controversy. —Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 10 Mar. 2025

Last year marked the highest visitation to the state’s national parks since 2019, and the third-highest number on record. —Phillip Reese, Sacramento Bee, 7 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for visitation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Kids Definition

visitation

noun

vis·​i·​ta·​tion ˌviz-ə-ˈtā-shən 

: an instance of visiting

especially : a visit by an important person for a reason (as an inspection)

Legal Definition

visitation

noun

vis·​i·​ta·​tion ˌvi-zə-ˈtā-shən 

1

: an official visit (as for inspection)

visitation of the home of a neglected child

2

: access to a child granted especially to a parent who does not have custody

supervised visitation

visitation rights