appellate

adjective

ap·​pel·​late ə-ˈpe-lət How to pronounce appellate (audio)
: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In this fast-moving case, the appellate court that ordered the grand jury report to be expunged subsequently refused the party’s desperate plea for a prior restraint gag order. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026 The appellate court then lambasted their report as being riddled with flaws. — Justin Garcia, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 2026 The date of the University Interscholastic League State Executive Committee appellate hearing regarding Hackney’s eligibility is to be determined. — Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Oct. 2026 The legal position of the Hope Florida grand jury report, already widely reported but also expunged by an appellate court, grew murkier Tuesday amid a multi-pronged effort to prohibit any publication of the document. — Cbs Miami Team, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for appellate

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of appellate was in 1765

Rhymes for appellate

See All Rhymes for appellate

Browse Nearby Words

appellant
appellate
appellation
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Cite this Entry

“Appellate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/appellate. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

appellate

adjective
ap·​pel·​late ə-ˈpel-ət How to pronounce appellate (audio)
: having the power to review the decisions of a lower court
an appellate court

Legal Definition

appellate

adjective
ap·​pel·​late ə-ˈpe-lət How to pronounce appellate (audio)
: of or relating to appeals or the power to hear appeals
the appellate process
an appellate court
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