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 state withdrew its appeal a week before the appellate court was scheduled to hear oral arguments. —Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 27 June 2025

Now, a portion of the case remains with the appellate court, while the question of the troops’ role under a law meant to limit military actions on U.S. soil will now play out before Breyer. —Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 26 June 2025

After Upland, if the tax proposal was placed on the ballot by initiative, the appellate courts have held they can be imposed with a simple majority vote. —Jon Coupal, Oc Register, 25 June 2025

An appellate court on Wednesday ruled that the San Diego Superior Court judge who leads a specialized court for mentally ill criminal defendants must heed challenges raised by prosecutors and step aside as judge in hearings to consider whether to admit two potential new participants. —Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 June 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