Definition of APPELLATION

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 appeller means "to call (by a name)," so Jacques' answer literally translates to "I call myself Jacques." Knowing the function of "appeller" makes it easy to remember that "appellation" refers to the name or title by which something is called or known. "Appeller" and "appellation" also share a common ancestor - the Latin appellare, meaning "to call or summon," formed by combining the prefix ad- ("to") with another verb, "pellere" ("to drive"). "Appellare" is also the root of our word appeal (by way of Anglo-French and Middle English), as well as "appellate," referring to a kind of court where appeals are heard.

Examples of appellation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In Michael Lewis’s 2003 book Moneyball, which followed Beane through the ’01 and ’02 seasons, the GM refers to Kevin as Euclis, the Greek God of Walks—which is funny, because nothing in that appellation was entirely accurate. — Mark Bechtel, SI.com, "Former Red Sox Great Kevin Youkilis Crafting a New Path With California Brewery," 25 June 2019 Comet Interceptor will carry instruments capable of discerning such a comet’s ingredients, vintage and appellation—when and where it was made and from what. — Jonathan O'callaghan, Scientific American, "European Comet Interceptor Could Visit an Interstellar Object," 24 June 2019 Later this month, the growers of the Bordeaux-Bordeaux Superieur AOC, the council that sets the appellation’s rules, are expected to approve a list of 20 additional grape varieties that may be used in a wine labeled as bordeaux. — Dave Mcintyre, Washington Post, "Climate change is reshaping wine as we know it," 7 June 2019 Somehow, though, the appellation doesn’t quite suit her. — Sarah Vitali, Harper's magazine, "Kill Your Darlings," 10 May 2019 Sauvignon blanc finds its spiritual home in France’s Loire Valley, especially in the prestigious appellation of Sancerre. — Dave Mcintyre, The Seattle Times, "These sauvignon blancs taste more expensive than they are," 6 Aug. 2018 However, not all of their future children may receive the same appellation. — Erica Gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "What Royal Titles Will Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's Kids Have?," 15 Oct. 2018 Bruno is especially keen on Cuvee Grand Millesimes by Chateau de Tiregand, a genuine estate in the sub-appellation Pecharmant just east of the city of Bergerac. — Mike Dunne, sacbee, "A French wine mystery: Where's the Bergerac?," 6 June 2018 Today the appellation is archaic; only the final clubs remain. — William Stadiem, Town & Country, "Can Harvard's Storied Final Clubs Resist the Tides of Change?," 2 Aug. 2016

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'appellation.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.