appellation

noun

ap·​pel·​la·​tion ˌa-pə-ˈlā-shən How to pronounce appellation (audio)
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.

Examples of appellation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Comité records all transactions, track the movement, manages the reserve and protects the appellation against counterfeit products. Joanne Shurvell, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025 While Italy boasts around 500 native grapes that are made into wine commercially, Sicilian wine production can be summed up with the knowledge of 10 main grapes, most of which are sold by varietal rather than appellation name. Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 23 June 2025 The Sullivan Estate vineyard is on the valley floor at the northern edge of the Rutherford appellation, where predominantly gravel, sand, and loam soils provide excellent natural drainage and result in reduced vigor and low yields in a good year; 2021’s was reduced by 30 percent. Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 15 June 2025 Paris favors the kinder appellation: The Holy Trinity. Jeff Weiss, HollywoodReporter, 12 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for appellation

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of appellation was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Appellation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/appellation. Accessed 7 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

appellation

noun
ap·​pel·​la·​tion ˌap-ə-ˈlā-shən How to pronounce appellation (audio)
: an identifying or descriptive name or title
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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