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 same matter is before five justices of the Manhattan appellate court, who should order the AG to release the memos. —New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 7 Feb. 2025

The appellate court’s decision was based on language used in the prosecution’s closing argument, citing concerns over Stubblefield’s status as a famous Black man as a reason police didn’t search his home for a gun. —Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2025

With the high court’s 6-3 ruling that the payment was a gratuity, the Supreme Court remanded the case to the appellate court, which determined, according to its filing, that the district court in Hammond could proceed with another trial if the government so decided. —Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2025

Ramon contended that his hands were tied until the appellate court issued a remittitur — a technical ruling that makes the judgment final and returns jurisdiction — which cannot occur earlier than Feb. 25. —Robert Salonga, The Mercury News, 31 Jan. 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

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