visitation

American  

[viz-i-tey-shuhn] / ˌvɪz ɪˈteɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the act of visiting.

2. a formal visit, as one permitted by a court's granting of visitation rights or by parents invited to a school to observe the work of students.

3. a visit for the purpose of making an official examination or inspection, as of a bishop to a diocese.

4. (usually initial capital letter) the visit of the Virgin Mary to her cousin Elizabeth. Luke 1:36–56.

5. (initial capital letter) a church festival, held on July 2, in commemoration of this visit.

6. the administration of comfort or aid, or of affliction or punishment.

   a visitation of the plague.

7. an affliction or punishment, as from God.

8. the appearance or coming of a supernatural influence or spirit.

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visitation ¹ British  

/ ˌvɪzɪˈteɪʃən /

noun

1. an official call or visit for the purpose of inspecting or examining an institution, esp such a visit made by a bishop to his diocese

2. a visiting of punishment or reward from heaven

3. any disaster or catastrophe

   a visitation of the plague

4. an appearance or arrival of a supernatural being

5. any call or visit

6. informal an unduly prolonged social call

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Visitation ² British  

/ ˌvɪzɪˈteɪʃən /

noun

1. 1. the visit made by the Virgin Mary to her cousin Elizabeth (Luke 1:39–56)

   2. the Church festival commemorating this, held on July 2

2. a religious order of nuns, the Order of the Visitation, founded in 1610 by St Francis of Sales and dedicated to contemplation and the cultivation of humility, gentleness, and sisterly love

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Other Word Forms

• intervisitation noun
• revisitation noun
• visitational adjective

Etymology

Origin of visitation

1275–1325; < Latin vīsitātiōn- (stem of vīsitātiō ), equivalent to vīsitāt ( us ) (past participle of vīsitāre; visit, -ate ¹ ) + -iōn- -ion; replacing Middle English visitacioun < Anglo-French < Latin, as above

Example Sentences

Previously, divorcing couples in Japan were free to decide custody and visitation arrangements.

From BBC

Paul has been denied visitation until their protective order hearing on April 7, which may determine whether a final protective order is granted by the court.

From Los Angeles Times

According to court documents reviewed by The Times, Paul was not granted visitation with their son, and a temporary protective order was issued against Paul on March 20.

From Los Angeles Times

Executives already have signaled “headwinds” in international visitation at theme parks this year.

From Los Angeles Times

Vail is scheduled to report earnings and updated visitation figures on March 9.

From The Wall Street Journal