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

Cerina Fairfax had asked the court to award joint legal custody, with the children primarily residing with her while Justin Fairfax would have a visitation schedule, according to the filing. —Rebekah Riess, CNN Money, 17 Apr. 2026

Officials with the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection say this time of year is when state parks and beaches start to see an increase in visitation with peak timing up through Memorial Day weekend. —Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 16 Apr. 2026

Then, during her recovery at a rehab center, COVID-19 hit, leading to restricted visitation. —Jennifer Stewart Kornegay, Southern Living, 15 Apr. 2026

Visitation often numbered in the tens of thousands, with itineraries fulfilled via expensive rail tickets, stagecoach tours, and horseback rides. —Jacqueline Kehoe, Travel + Leisure, 13 Apr. 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