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

The Ohio Supreme Court this week stayed the appellate court’s mandate, meaning that, for now, the trial court’s order is back in effect. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 16 Oct. 2026

In its ruling, the appellate court held the law to be within constitutional bounds. — Gray Rohrer, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2026

Multiple appellate courts have now recognized the importance of consistently applying NCAA eligibility rules and the significant disruption that results when eligibility standards vary from institution to institution or state to state. — Chantz Martin Outkick, FOXNews.com, 14 Oct. 2026

For instance, in North Carolina, appeals lawyers seeking court appointments must apply with the state appellate defender and submit references, work history showing the lawyer is qualified to litigate appeals and legal writing samples. — Samantha Melamed, ProPublica, 13 Oct. 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