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

Though the Colorado Court of Appeals in April ordered her trial judge to resentence Peters, the appellate judges unanimously upheld her underlying convictions. —Seth Klamann, Denver Post, 29 May 2026

In at least two cases, when parents have filed federal lawsuits against officers over use of force, the appellate court that covers Texas ruled against their claims. —Clare Amari, New York Times, 27 May 2026

They were found guilty at trial in 2023, and their convictions were unanimously upheld by a federal appellate panel in July. —Bloomberg, Mercury News, 27 May 2026

And, as the appellate court related, the Virginia LLC act does not allow for the foreclosure of a charging order lien. —Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 26 May 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