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 appellate court reviewed the Tax Court's findings of fact for clear error. —Robert W. Wood, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

In the bigger picture, the decision will continue to limit appellate courts' ability to review criminal sentences issued at the trial court level. —Laura A. Bischoff, The Enquirer, 2 Nov. 2024

This procedure is typically used in appellate courts for significant cases or when the court believes the case involves issues of exceptional importance. —Nina Turner, Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2024

For O’Neill Burke, a former appellate court judge, that’s by design. —A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 30 Oct. 2024

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