appellant

American  

[uh-pel-uhnt] / əˈpɛl ənt /

noun

1. a person who appeals.

2. Law. a party that appeals to a higher tribunal.

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adjective

1. of or relating to an appeal; appellate.

appellant British  

/ əˈpɛlənt /

noun

1. a person who appeals

2. law the party who appeals to a higher court from the decision of a lower tribunal

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adjective

1. law another word for appellate

Etymology

Origin of appellant

1400–50; late Middle English appellaunt < Anglo-French; Old French apelant, present participle of apeler to appeal; -ant

Compare meaning

How does appellant compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• appellant vs. appellee

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."

Example Sentences

“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

"The tribunal found that suspension was necessary to protect the public as the appellant did not have insight into her failings," he said.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 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

“I don’t deny that the appellant was trying to obtain the information with good intentions. But as the magistrate had pointed out, in terms of conviction, having good intentions is not a justification,” Lee said.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 6, 2022

The other two lords appellant, Mowbray, duke of Norfolk,2 and Henry of Bolingbroke, the son of John of Gaunt, were dealt with a year later.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 5 English History by Various

Related Words

• aspirant
• candidate
• claimant
• seeker