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

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

Synonyms of visitation

• 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

Ronaldo Salgado, son of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, who was shot and killed by an ICE officer last week, is hugged outside a public visitation for this father on Thursday in Houston. — Albinson Linares, NBC news, 17 July 2026

The National Park Service recorded more than 323 million recreation visits in 2025, the second-highest total in its history, with 26 parks setting new annual visitation records. — Bailey Berg, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

Yellowstone National Park reported a new visitation record in May, a month that brought jammed parking lots and delays to the park that’s largely in Wyoming with parts in Montana and Idaho. — Jen Rose Smith, CNN Money, 10 July 2026

The critical architecture of the creature is unmarred by the passage of time; its return offers a visitation with a world older than the observer. — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 8 July 2026

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