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 appellate court in Austin reversed Judge George Gallagher, who presided in the 396th District Court at the time of the first trial. —Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026

As a judge, my responsibility is not to evaluate whether legislation is good or bad policy, but to apply the law as enacted by the General Assembly and interpreted by appellate courts. —Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2026

Prescott, a trial and appellate judge for two decades, shrugged off the concerns. —Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 13 Feb. 2026

To reclaim her reputation as an upstanding public official, Kilkelly had to hire two trial law firms and a third to argue the case before the appellate court. —Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 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