adjective
Uncommon
appellate
uh-PEH-luht
Appellate (adjective) means relating to appeals, or to a court that has the power to review and overturn decisions made by a lower court. Example: “She took her case to the appellate court after losing at trial.”
adjective
1
Relating to appeals, or to a court that has the power to review and overturn decisions made by a lower court.
"In this game of bluff and counter-bluff, the parlementaires calculated that their absence – which entailed much of the country being without an appellate jurisdiction – would force the government to treat for terms."
— Colin Jones, The Great Nation (2002)
"She took her case to the appellate court after losing at trial."
"The appellate judges overturned the original ruling."
How to use appellate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDescribes a higher court whose job is to review decisions from lower courts, not to hear a case from scratch.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "appellant," the person who is actually filing the appeal — appellate describes the court itself.
Common pairings
appellate court
appellate jurisdiction
appellate review
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She took her case to the _____ court after losing at trial.
Etymology
From Latin appellatus, "called upon" or "addressed" — the same root that gives us "appeal."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for appellate
See all rhymes for appellate →Frequently asked questions
What does “appellate” mean?
The word “appellate” means relating to appeals, or to a court that has the power to review and overturn decisions made by a lower court. In plain terms, describes a higher court whose job is to review decisions from lower courts, not to hear a case from scratch.
How do you pronounce “appellate”?
“Appellate” is pronounced uh-PEH-luht (/əˈpɛlət/ in IPA).
How do you use “appellate” in a sentence?
Here is “appellate” used in a sentence: “She took her case to the appellate court after losing at trial.”
What part of speech is “appellate”?
“Appellate” is an adjective.
Where does the word “appellate” come from?
The word “appellate” comes from Latin. From Latin appellatus, "called upon" or "addressed" — the same root that gives us "appeal.".
Is “appellate” a common word?
“Appellate” is an uncommon word in modern English.
