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

And the dangers extend outside the home, too — one study showed domestic violence calls are among the most dangerous for law enforcement to respond to, and researchers found that mass shooters often have a history of domestic violence. —Paige Pfleger, ProPublica, 12 Feb. 2025

Nelson has been in custody on unrelated domestic violence charges after BPD arrested her at a Charlestown marina Sunday night. —Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 6 Feb. 2025

Collin was previously arrested in November 2023 for a domestic violence incident involving his mother. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 6 Feb. 2025

New York City’s child welfare agency cannot continue to supervise survivors of domestic violence who have ousted abusive partners from the home, a state appeals court ruled Wednesday. —Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 6 Feb. 2025

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