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

Now, the ruling has been stayed while the appellate court looks into the case further. —CBS News, 20 Apr. 2025

The appellate court will issue its ruling, which will determine whether the contempt hearing proceeds or is ended immediately. —Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025

Should the appellate court grant an emergency stay, the AP’s access could be cut off again. —Ted Johnson, Deadline, 17 Apr. 2025

The trial judge permitted that testimony, as did a unanimous mid-level appellate court. —New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 17 Apr. 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