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 constitutional question has been litigated many times, and by our count, every state or federal appellate court that’s ruled on the issue has concluded that ALPR networks are within bounds of the Fourth Amendment. — Rafael A. Mangual, Washington Post, 2 Oct. 2026

But the state appealed, and the appellate court hasn’t yet ruled on the matter. — Rebecca Boone, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026

Without conflicting appellate decisions, the DOJ would lack a traditional ground for Supreme Court review, though the justices can also hear sufficiently important unresolved federal questions. — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 1 Oct. 2026

On Wednesday, the state's appellate court temporarily paused the judge's order, saying the lower court must first rule on another motion before a full appeal can proceed. — Adam Thompson, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026

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