noun
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a person who appeals
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law the party who appeals to a higher court from the decision of a lower tribunal
adjective
Etymology
Origin of appellant
1400–50; late Middle English appellaunt < Anglo-French; Old French apelant, present participle of apeler to appeal; see -ant
Compare meaning
How does appellant compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
An appellant is someone who has filed a request asking a judge to change an earlier legal decision. When someone who's been convicted of a crime files an appeal, hoping for a different outcome in a new courtroom, they become an appellant. Usually with the help of an attorney, the appellant submits written arguments in favor of an appeal to a judge. The opposing side does the same, and the judge decides whether or not the case warrants another trial. Appellant is from the French appeller, "make an appeal," and a Latin root meaning "appeal to."
Vocabulary lists containing appellant
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In a statement this month which suggests full transparency might yet take some time, it said: "The appellant will be granted access to the file, subject to conditions and requirements yet to be defined."
From BBC • May 15, 2026
“We conclude the trial court failed to take some necessary factors into account during sentencing when considering whether appellant was eligible for probation,” he wrote.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 28, 2024
They said in a written judgment that the appellant had sought to argue the three conditions capable of triggering the mitigating benefits in Article 33 of the security law were not exhaustive.
From Seattle Times • Aug. 21, 2023
“Both the circuit court and state’s attorney for Baltimore failed repeatedly to provide appellant Young Lee that dignity, respect, and sensitivity he is entitled to receive in this state,” lawyer David Sanford argued in court.
From Washington Post • Feb. 2, 2023
Appellee is opposed both to appellant and appellor.
From Webster's Unabridged Dictionary by Webster, Noah
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
