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 high court’s refusal to take up the cause left intact an appellate court ruling that the exemptions claimed by Chula Vista were overly broad. —Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 May 2025

Two months later, an appellate court upheld the original ruling on June 5, 2024, per the BBC. —Samantha Stutsman, People.com, 22 May 2025

After appellate judges in Jamaica ruled against a retrial, Kartel was officially freed from custody come September. —Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 21 May 2025

Marin County and its immediate appellate environs — Carneros, the Petaluma Gap, the Sonoma Coast, etc. — produce quite a few pinot noirs and plenty of chardonnay. —Jeff Burkhart, Mercury News, 14 May 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