domestic violence

noun

: violent or abusive behavior directed by one family or household member against another

He helped start Austin's Children's Advocacy Center, which works with abused kids, and a family-justice division of the D.A.'s office, which prosecutes those accused of domestic violence and helps their families get back to normal.

—John Cloud

a domestic violence hotline

In another disturbing trend, women are victims of domestic violence that spills into the workplace.

—Sarah Henry

Examples of domestic violence in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This includes: Sony provided talking points for the actors to use during film promotion, including focusing on the resilience of the character played by Lively instead of the theme of domestic violence. —Jay Stahl, USA TODAY, 22 Dec. 2024

As those stories were circulating online, the crew appeared to side with Baldoni, as did much of the internet, in part due to his centering of the film’s promotion around its story of domestic violence, while Lively billed the movie as more lighthearted. —Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 21 Dec. 2024

Tess Bohne, the Livestream Queen, asked fans watching the Indianapolis shows to make donations to Coburn Place, a local nonprofit serving survivors of domestic violence. —Bryan West, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024

Four months later, Matthew was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence, according to The Blast. —Diane J. Cho, People.com, 19 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1891, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

domestic violence

noun

: the inflicting of physical harm by one family or household member on another

Legal Definition

domestic violence

noun

domestic vi·​o·​lence

: violence committed by one family or household member against another see also restraining order at order