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

Of those, 13 were listed as having domestic violence as the primary motivation. —Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 10 Nov. 2025

According to King County, firearms are used in domestic violence homicides more than all other weapons combined in Washington state. —Jen Christensen, CNN Money, 10 Nov. 2025

He was convicted of vandalizing a car at age 12, stealing PS2 games at 13, felony robbery at 14, and domestic violence at 15. —Matthew Cupelli, Cincinnati Enquirer, 8 Nov. 2025

Season one captured the ups and downs of her first relationship post-divorce, including her domestic violence arrest and third pregnancy. —Mckinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 7 Nov. 2025

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