domestic violence

noun

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

a domestic violence hotline

He helped start … 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

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

On Thursday, May 14, Paul, 31, shared a lengthy Instagram post two weeks after a judge granted her and Mortensen, 33, mutual protective orders for three years in a Salt Lake City courtroom on April 30 following domestic violence allegations earlier this year. —Becca Longmire, PEOPLE, 15 May 2026

Meanwhile, one of the responding officers identified the suspect seen in surveillance footage as the complainant in a domestic violence call earlier this year on Walnut Street. —Patrick Damp, CBS News, 14 May 2026

Christina Snow was shot in the face April 19 when the children’s father, Shemar Elkins, opened fire in what authorities described as a domestic violence incident. —Doha Madani, NBC news, 14 May 2026

Detectives are now investigating if the fire was the result of domestic violence. —Joseph Serna, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1891, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for domestic violence

• nonviolence

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