appellation

noun

ap·​pel·​la·​tion ˌa-pə-ˈlā-shən 

1

: an identifying name or title : designation

was entitled to the appellation "doctor"

2

: a geographical name (as of a region, village, or vineyard) under which a winegrower is authorized to identify and market wine

also : the area designated by such a name

3

archaic : the act of calling by a name

Did you know?

Ask a Frenchman named Jacques his name, and you may very well get the reply, "Je m'appelle Jacques." The French verb appeler means "to call (by a name)," so Jacques' answer literally translates to "I call myself Jacques." Knowing the function of appeler makes it easy to remember that appellation refers to the name or title by which something is called or known. Appeler and appellation also share a common ancestor: Latin appellāre, meaning "to call upon, name, or designate," formed by combining the prefix ad- ("to") with another verb, pellere ("to beat against, push, or strike"). Appellāre is also the root of English's appeal (by way of Anglo-French and Middle English), as well as appellate, which is used to indicate a court where appeals are heard.

Synonyms of appellation

• moniker
• name
• title
• nomenclature
• designation
• epithet
• nickname

Examples of appellation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Barometer bush is another one of its appellations due to observations that a sudden rise in humidity triggers Texas sage’s massive bloom, typically occurring just before or after rain. —Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 29 Nov. 2025

In 2012, Nova Scotia established its first wine appellation, called Tidal Bay. —Chloe Berge, Vogue, 21 Nov. 2025

Farges also wants to overhaul the complex appellation system, in which each small wine-growing area operates independently, thus reducing its marketing and distribution muscle. —Vivienne Walt, Fortune, 20 Nov. 2025

Three-quarters of the vines are planted in the historic Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation, but the family also has vineyards in Vinsobres, Gigondas, Luberon, and Ventoux, among others. —Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English appellacyon, borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French appellacion, borrowed from Latin appellātiōn-, appellātiō "name, designation, noun, appeal," from appellāre "to speak to, address, apply to for support, refer to a higher authority, call upon, name, designate" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action; in sense 2 borrowed from French, going back to Middle French — more at appeal entry 2

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for appellation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

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Kids Definition

appellation

noun

ap·​pel·​la·​tion ˌap-ə-ˈlā-shən 

: an identifying or descriptive name or title