appellant

1 of 2

adjective

ap·​pel·​lant ə-ˈpe-lənt How to pronounce appellant (audio)
: of or relating to an appeal : appellate
an appellant court

appellant

2 of 2

noun

: one that appeals
specifically : one that appeals from a judicial decision or decree

Examples of appellant in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Sorrells said the appellant court that overturned the conviction picked and chose facts and did not function as an appellant court should. Noah Alcala Bach, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 May 2024 Click here to read appellant arguments over then-Judge Boynton’s key rulings in Jones’s trial and here for the state’s response. Dan Morse, Washington Post, 18 Oct. 2023
Noun
In April, Lee’s attorneys submitted an appellant’s brief along with 17 supporting briefs, including one from Gov. Josh Shapiro, arguing that Lee’s sentence is unconstitutional. Lauren Jessop | The Center Square Contributor, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 18 Oct. 2024 Those media companies are now appellants in a proceeding before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 3 Sep. 2019 See all Example Sentences for appellant 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'appellant.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English appellaunt "making a charge in court," borrowed from Anglo-French appellant, appellaunt, present participle of apeler, appeler "to call, summon, call before a court" — more at appeal entry 2

Noun

Middle English appellant, appellaunt "person accusing another in court, plaintiff, challenger," borrowed from Anglo-French appellant, noun derivative of appellant, appellant "making a charge in court" — more at appellant entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of appellant was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near appellant

Cite this Entry

“Appellant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/appellant. Accessed 3 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

appellant

noun
ap·​pel·​lant
ə-ˈpel-ənt
: one that appeals
especially : one that appeals a judicial decision

Legal Definition

appellant

noun
ap·​pel·​lant
ə-ˈpe-lənt
: a person or party who appeals a court's judgment compare appellee

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