From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishvisitvis‧it1 /ˈvɪzɪt/ ●●● S2 W1 verb 1 [intransitive, transitive]DLTVISIT to go and spend time in a place or with someone, especially for pleasure or interest Eric went to Seattle to visit his cousins. I was really pleased that they came to visit me. Which cities did you visit in Spain? A recent trip to London gave me the opportunity to visit the Science Museum. She doesn’t visit very often.RegisterIn everyday English, people often say that they come/go to see someone, rather than visit them:He’s gone to Scotland to see his family.2 [transitive]EXAMINE to go to a place as part of your official job, especially to examine it The building inspector is visiting the new housing project.visit with American English The president’s first trip abroad will be to visit with troops in Bosnia.3 [transitive] formalASK A QUESTION to go to see a doctor, lawyer etc in order to get treatment or advice4 [transitive] to look at a website on the Internet Over 1,000 people visit our site every week.5 [intransitive] American English to talk socially with someonevisit with Why don’t you kids play outside while we visit with each other?THESAURUSa placevisit to go and spend time in a place, for interest or pleasureYou must visit Kyoto.They visited all the usual places.go to to visit a place. Go to is very commonly used in everyday English instead of visitHave you ever been to England?They went to the Eiffel Tower and the Flea Market.go sightseeing to visit places of interest in a countryWe went sightseeing in the old part of the city.a personvisit to go and spend time with someoneHow often do you visit your grandparents?come around/by/over (also come round British English) to visit someone informally in their home, especially when you live near themA few friends came round last night.drop in/by (also call in/by British English) to visit someone in their home, especially on your way to another placeKate said she’d drop by later to give you the forms.look somebody up to visit someone who you do not see very often, when you are spending time in the area where they liveLook me up if you’re ever in Newark. → visit something on somebody/something→ See Verb table
Examples from the Corpus
visit• Over the same four-week period, Dole spent 21 days on the campaign trail visiting 20 states.• We won't be that far away - you'll be able to come and visit.• Mom and Aunt Jo were sitting drinking coffee and visiting.• He was the first traveller from the British Isles to visit Abyssinia.• His management trademark is carrying index cards in his shirt pocket so that he can note mistakes while visiting Darden restaurants.• They may wish to visit during the building stages.• So are you just visiting friends out here or something?• We've got some friends visiting from out of town this weekend.• This afternoon the Queen will visit Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital.• Paul visited her every day when she was in hospital.• I went to visit her last winter and I really had a great time.• The Ambassador last visited Hong Kong in 1982.• She sent me some photographs of when she visited in December.• I visit my grandparents at least once a month.• A police officer will be visiting next week to give the children a talk on crime prevention.• For more information on how you can help, visit our website.• We spent the day visiting temples and other historic buildings.• Thousands of Americans visit Thailand each year.• Anyone caught visiting the Bookman during these was automatically punished and he kept swapping them around to try and catch people out.• While Eva was at Usher, General Coutts visited the country.• You should visit the dentist twice a year.• The inspection team visited the plant twice in October.• Clubs are still invited to continue to visit the warehouse by the usual arranged bus trips.• Every year thousands of tourists visit Turkey.• Tam himself plans to visit Washington, he said.• I don't see him that often, but I like to go and visit with him when I can.• How much do you visit with your Mom and Dad while you're here?came to visit• Hindley had told me to be present if Edgar Linton came to visit Catherine.• Ever since his parents came to visit for Christmas, Berg has started playing more aggressively.• Her friends came to visit in garish canoes, landed and partied and paddled home in the purple sunrise.• Katherine came to visit Patrick a little later.• Willie Greene, his 4-year-old grandson, came to visit the ranch with a pocketful of marbles.• And when family members came to visit, they were expected to pitch in.• Until one evening Little Lou came to visit with news.• That people knew, and came to visit you?visit with• Why don't you kids play outside while the adults visit with each other?visitvisit2 ●●● S3 W2 noun [countable] 1 VISITan occasion when someone goes to spend time in a place or goes to see a personvisit to a visit to Chicago We’re just here on a short visit. Why don’t you come for a visit this summer? I decided to pay him a visit at his office. I’ve just had a visit from the police. I’m only here for the weekend – just a flying visit this time. his first official visit to Britain as Russian president The town is well worth a visit.2 ASK A QUESTIONan occasion when you see a doctor, lawyer etc for treatment or advice3 American English an occasion when you talk socially with someone Barbara and I had a nice long visit.COLLOCATIONSverbspay somebody a visit (=visit someone)Perhaps she'll come up to town then and pay me a visit.make/pay a visitThe king made an official visit to Poland last year.have/receive a visit from somebodyI've just had a visit from Lou Stacey.adjectivesa brief/short visitMiss Russell was only able to pay a brief visit.a flying visit British English (=a very short visit)Timpson was due to pay a flying visit to London. a surprise visit (=one that the person being visited does not know is going to happen)Naomi paid a surprise visit to an old school friend.an unannounced visit (=one that someone makes without first telling the person that they are going to visit)The social worker made an unannounced visit.an official/state visitThe president made an official visit to France this week.a return visit (=when you visit a place again, or when someone you visited visits you)George was already planning a return visit.phrasesbe worth a visitLas Palmas, the lively capital, is well worth a visit. Examples from the Corpus
visit• The girls were quite excited because they were expecting a visit from their parents.• She took the whole class out there for a visit.• The president will make a brief visit to Britain before returning home.• The Christmas visits are seen as part of the long recovery process after the accident.• Reading face five meetings in four days over Easter, starting with a Gold Cup visit to Poole this afternoon.• At each visit they will feel your abdomen, and find out how high the top of the womb has risen.• It was my first visit to my wife's parents' house.• Polly and I had a nice long visit.• Two days before the President's visit they began to dress the mast like a Christmas tree.• The Senator's visit to the Military Academy at Andover was a great success.• Members of the economic development and planning subcommittee voted to refuse planning permission after a site visit yesterday.• The Queen will pay a state visit to China later this year.• During the visit a glimpse of the future Garratt type locomotive was obtained.• He doesn't see or talk to anyone from the works this visit.• We're all looking forward to your visit.well worth a visit• Also well worth a visit are the famous potteries of Royal Dalton and Wedgwood.• Salzburg is not far away and is well worth a visit to see the wonderful Baroque architecture of this elegant city.• Llyn Brenig is situated some 35 miles form Colwyn Bay, and is well worth a visit.• It is now the Museum of Bohemian History and is well worth a visit.• Pico do Arieiro is well worth a visit.• It is well worth visiting just as a tourist or to do the five-hour walk along the bottom of the gorge.• Mapusa market is well worth a visit on Fridays.• It's well worth a visit.Origin visit1 (1100-1200) Old French visiter, from Latin visitare, from visere “to go to see”, from videre; → VISION 