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

In November 2006, Britney filed for divorce from Federline, citing irreconcilable differences and asking for both physical and legal custody of their two sons, with visitation rights for Federline. —Sophie Hanson, StyleCaster, 26 Dec. 2024

Because most of the island is covered in a huge ice sheet, only the coastal areas are open to normal visitation. —Joe Yogerst, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024

With restrictions on travel and hospital visitations, final reconciliations with family that may have happened in other years simply didn’t, said the Rev. Chris Ponnet, a Catholic priest and director of spiritual care at Los Angeles General Medical Center. —Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 15 Dec. 2024

Butler was allowed supervised visitation with her children every Saturday and was likely to be granted unsupervised visitation during an upcoming hearing, per court documents. —Stepheny Price, Fox News, 22 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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