appellate

adjective

ap·​pel·​late ə-ˈpe-lət 

: of, relating to, or recognizing appeals

specifically : having the power to review the judgment of another tribunal

an appellate court

Examples of appellate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Sean Jackman did not appeal the appellate court's decision, so the state Supreme Court did not weigh on his eligibility. —Rachel Smith, The Courier-Journal, 12 June 2024

Leo's appellate attorney made a request for a new hearing based on this evidence. —Alex Berenfeld, ABC News, 7 June 2024

That decision overturned an appellate court ruling last year that sided with opponents who filed a lawsuit against the university to block the project. —Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2024

Amanda Knox's bid to overturn a 2009 slander conviction failed short on Wednesday, June 5, as an appellate court in Florence, Italy, reportedly ruled to uphold the ruling related to the 2007 murder of her British roommate Meredith Kercher. —Dave Quinn, Peoplemag, 5 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin appellātus, past participle of appellāre "to appeal against a judgment," going back to Latin, "to speak to, address, apply to for support, refer to a higher authority" — more at appeal entry 2

First Known Use

1765, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

appellate

adjective

ap·​pel·​late ə-ˈpel-ət 

: having the power to review the decisions of a lower court

an appellate court

Legal Definition

appellate

adjective

ap·​pel·​late ə-ˈpe-lət 

: of or relating to appeals or the power to hear appeals

the appellate process

an appellate court