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

The aim is to improve the visitor experience at those areas, but also to address the negative impacts of high visitation including accumulation of trash and human waste, erosion and trampling of native vegetation, proliferation of social trails, graffiti and vandalism. —John Meyer, Denver Post, 15 Aug. 2025

Tourism officials say Congress wrongly assumed the pricey fee would have little impact on the volume of visitation. —Suzanne Rowan Kelleher, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025

Washington and Rocky face off in two electric scenes in the back half of the film, both times separated by glass, in a recording booth and a jail visitation. —Katie Walsh, Boston Herald, 14 Aug. 2025

The temporary jail will need to include infrastructure and services: intake, health care, food service and commissary, visitation, exercise space, laundry and staff areas. —Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 25 July 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