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 most recent development, from May: An appellate court ordered a redo of the environmental impact report, citing two defects that needed to be remedied. —Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2025

Under Fourth Circuit appellate procedures, a majority of active judges must vote in favor of holding a rehearing for it to be held. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 9 July 2025

In an 18-page decision, appellate judges Kenneth F. Ripple, Ilana Diamond Rovner and Diane S. Sykes wrote that public employees don't surrender their First Amendment rights because of their employment. —Chris Ramirez, jsonline.com, 7 July 2025

After bringing the issue to appellate court in February, the company received a waiver reinstating its work. —Kairi Lowery, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 July 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