# appellate

/əˈpɛˌɫeɪt/ (US) · /ɐpˈɛlət/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/appellate
Updated: 2026-05-04

## Definition

relating to the process of asking a higher court to review a legal decision.

For teachers: relating to or involving an appeal to a higher court for review of a lower court's decision.

## Examples

- The appellate court overturned the original verdict.
- The appellate judges reviewed the case files to check for legal errors.
- The appellate decision clarified the precedent, ensuring that lower courts would apply the statute consistently in future disputes.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.
