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

Before Wilcox and Davis dropped litigation, a more permanent resolution was expected to be considered in a North Texas appellate court. —Samuel O’Neal 6, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Feb. 2026

Conservative appeals courts have signaled skepticism of some trial judges’ rulings, with appellate courts throwing out injunctions as overly broad and vague, suggesting judicial restraint regarding the scope of limitations on executive immigration authority. —Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026

But a federal district court and an appellate court declined to stop the maps from going into effect. —Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 4 Feb. 2026

Trump cannot pardon himself on a state conviction but his attorneys said his aim is to get the case into the federal appellate system and ultimately in front of the Supreme Court as quickly as possible. —Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 4 Feb. 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