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

The very next day, however, an appellate court granted a stay to the EPA that refroze the funds until the courts can arrive at a long-term solution. —Morgan Simon, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025

Newsom, however, emphasized the limits of the appellate decision. —Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 20 June 2025

If Bell refuses to order racing teams to divulge financial information and permits NASCAR to be accused of unfairly sharing revenue, and if NASCAR loses the trial, NASCAR would be armed with a potential appellate argument that Bell erred. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 19 June 2025

But before police came to the apartment with a search warrant, the scene was already cleaned up, according to appellate court documents. —Kc Baker, People.com, 19 June 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