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 Trump administration this week appealed the matter to the Supreme Court after an appellate court upheld a lower federal court's ruling. —Joey Garrison, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2025

Two appellate courts reviewing injunctions granted temporary relief to the White House by pausing emergency decisions made in the lower courts. —Ashley Oliver, The Washington Examiner, 27 Mar. 2025

Selena was shot in the back, Saldívar then followed her until the singer collapsed in the lobby, and Saldívar locked herself in a truck outside and threatened to kill herself, according to appellate court documents. —Phil Helsel, NBC news, 27 Mar. 2025

An appellate court in Florence, Italy, upheld the original ruling in June 2024. —Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 27 Mar. 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