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

Avery's arguments did not meet these requirements, both the circuit court and appellate court agreed. —Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 1 Oct. 2025

In 2020, Michigan appellate judges decided transactional data alone is never sufficient to prove that a business — or person — fraudulently used SNAP benefits. —Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 30 Sep. 2025

The appellate court last year reversed Martínez-Olguín’s initial case dismissal, leading to the judge dismissing it again. —Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 30 Sep. 2025

Carr noted that a federal appellate court has already vacated a rule that limits companies from owning or controlling two of the top four television stations in a local market. —Ted Johnson, Deadline, 30 Sep. 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