domestic violence

noun

|Updated on: 13 Jun 2018

Definition of domestic violence

: the inflicting of physical injury by one family or household member on another; also : a repeated or habitual pattern of such behavior

Recent Examples of domestic violence from the Web

But his bill, which passed the Senate in May, did not end eligibility for those accused of domestic violence.

— stephanie ebbert, BostonGlobe.com, "Vietnam service may keep veteran from facing assault charges," 9 June 2018
Cobb County prosecutors said the couple had no history of domestic violence before Brenda Poole Chandler, 62, was found dead on Dec. 12, 2016, stabbed repeatedly in the chest and cut across her neck.

— chelsea prince, ajc, "Kennesaw man gets life in prison for killing wife of 20 years, dousing her body with gasoline," 7 June 2018
The Daily Beast reports Edwards received a security clearance despite a previous assault charge and allegations of domestic violence.

— james hohmann, Washington Post, "The Daily 202: Why Bernie Sanders won’t join the Democratic Party," 7 June 2018
Earlier this year Rob Porter, who was a top aide to President Trump, was forced to resign months after the White House had been informed that Porter had been accused of domestic violence.

— jeff pegues, CBS News, "New details emerge about White House contractor arrested for attempted murder," 6 June 2018
The night ended in his arrest on suspicion of domestic violence.

— michael kiefer, azcentral, "Scottsdale police report details origin of divorce that apparently led to murders," 6 June 2018
According to local news outlets, police previously responded to the Williams residence for reports of domestic violence calls for the past few months.

— karen mizoguchi, PEOPLE.com, "Former Pro Wrestler Killed Wife in Murder-Suicide While Their 10-Year-Old Twins Slept, Family Says," 6 June 2018
In Florida, she was twice charged with misdemeanor counts of domestic violence and twice charged with resisting arrest, according to the records.

— erin mccarthy, Philly.com, "Woman charged in gruesome slaying of her grandmother in their Ambler home," 5 June 2018
Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum and former Congresswoman Gwen Graham want to ban assault rifles and high-capacity magazines, require background checks for all gun purchases and take away guns from those accused of domestic violence.

— kathryn varn, miamiherald, "Democratic candidate for Florida governor wants to tax bullets to fund school safety," 1 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'domestic violence.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of domestic violence

1891

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

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Law Dictionary

domestic violence

noun domestic vi·o·lence

legal Definition of domestic violence

: violence committed by one family or household member against another — see also restraining order at order

Learn More about domestic violence

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about domestic violence

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domestic violence

Definition of domestic violence

Recent Examples of domestic violence from the Web

First Known Use of domestic violence

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domestic violence

legal Definition of domestic violence

Learn More about domestic violence

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domestic violence

Definition of domestic violence

Recent Examples of domestic violence from the Web

First Known Use of domestic violence

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domestic violence

legal Definition of domestic violence

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