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

• appellative
• cognomen
• compellation
• denomination
• denotation
• designation
• handle
• moniker
• monicker
• name
• nomenclature
• title

Examples of appellation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Virginia has 10 regions and 8 AVAs, American Viticulture Areas, the American equivalent to the French wine appellations. —Per and Britt Karlsson, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025

But having just turned 50, Adebimpe can now add a new appellation: solo artist. —Jason Newman, Rolling Stone, 16 Apr. 2025

While sourced almost entirely from the prestigious cru appellation of Morgon, its irresistibly quaffable style relies on young vines grown freely and harvested at yields higher than what the AOC regulations allow. —Anna Lee C. Iijima, Bon Appétit, 22 Jan. 2025

The Finger Lakes’ wine appellations are sadly a three-hour drive away. —Liza B. Zimmerman, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 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

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!

Kids Definition

appellation

noun

ap·​pel·​la·​tion ˌap-ə-ˈlā-shən 

: an identifying or descriptive name or title