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 courts have also denied the government’s requests to change the preliminary injunctions. —Jean Lantz Reisz, The Conversation, 12 May 2025

But in 2020, North Carolina appellate courts ruled that the exclusion of those statements, as well as other evidentiary issues, were prejudicial and prevented Molly and Tom from receiving an effective defense. —Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 10 May 2025

Next week, the Manhattan appellate court will hear the case. —New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 10 May 2025

The government did not honor that agreement, nor was it required to, DOJ attorneys told the appellate court. —Ashley Oliver, The Washington Examiner, 9 May 2025

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