visitation

[ viz-i-tey-shuhn ]

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.

Visitation

¹

/ 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

visitation

²

/ 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

Derived Forms

• ˌvisitˈational, adjective

Other Words From

• visit·ation·al adjective
• inter·visit·ation noun
• revis·it·ation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of visitation¹

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

He also said that he continues to know Combs, and had produced documents showing Combs's name in a prison visitation log.

From BBC

With visitation surging at national parks in recent years, site managers have come to rely on a mix of signage, social media posts and on-the-ground outreach campaigns to help keep visitors safe.

From Los Angeles Times

“The Valley” stars share a 3-year-old son, for whom Cartwright is requesting primary legal and physical custody, with visitation for Taylor.

From Los Angeles Times

During the 11 months the children were in foster care, Hayley said her family were given less visitation days than Mr Y’s family.

From BBC

Movement restrictions have eased at Waupun and Green Bay, but as of the department’s latest update in April, in-person visitation had not resumed at Waupun and recreation time was still limited.

From Seattle Times