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.
The 9th Circuit also upheld that ruling Friday, marking a second appellate setback for the administration that day. — Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 30 Oct. 2026 California officials and independent voting rights groups welcomed the appellate court’s latest ruling as a major win for the state. — Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026 Twenty years prior to that trial, Weinberg served as co-counsel and later appellate attorney for Martha Stewart after she was charged with insider trading. — Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 29 Oct. 2026 The developers may seek appellate review, and the court reserved jurisdiction to consider attorney’s fees and costs. — Sarah Kinbar, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 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 1 Nov. 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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