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

An appellate court denied a request from West for a stay in the case. — Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026

The appellate court disagreed, ruling that the law only provides a liability defense, and said the cases could go forward. — Megan Poinski, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026

Earlier this year, an appellate court overturned Ajapahyan's conviction and ordered a new trial. — Arkansas Online, 9 Aug. 2026

Damrell and Sapp are among eight appellate justices nominated Friday by Newsom. — Haley Parsley august 9, Sacbee.com, 9 Aug. 2026

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

Rhymes for appellate

• chelate
• pellet
• prelate
• zealot

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