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

• call
• 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

Her visitation is planned for 2 to 8 p.m. June 24 at the Montclair-Lucania Funeral Home in the Montclare neighborhood on the Northwest Side, police said. —Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 17 June 2025

Places like the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and Yosemite expect to see visitation numbers that surpass 2024’s record stats. —Emilee Coblentz, Outside Online, 14 June 2025

The plan limits Travis’ visitation to eight hours every other weekend and three hours on Fridays, per the parenting order filed in Chelan County court in September 2024, which was also obtained by PEOPLE. —Nicole Acosta, People.com, 13 June 2025

According to the Downtown Development Authority (DDA), downtown visitation now accounts for over 30% of all visitors—up from just 7% pre-pandemic. —Peter Lane Taylor, Forbes.com, 10 June 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