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

• 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

His daughters -- Paityn Decker, 9; Evelyn Decker, 8; and Olivia Decker, 5 -- had left home for a planned visitation with him on May 30, and never returned, officials said. —Megan Forrester, ABC News, 25 Sep. 2025

In her legal filing, the model requested that she be given legal and physical custody of the child, that the NFL star cover all of her pregnancy and birth expenses, her attorney’s fees, and that she be given visitation rights. —Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 22 Sep. 2025

At the time, Lopera requested legal and physical custody of their baby, but gave Diggs visitation rights. —Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 22 Sep. 2025

The National Park Service did not respond to multiple requests for comment on maintenance, staffing or park visitation. —Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 21 Sep. 2025

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