court of appeals

American  

Also Court of Appeals

noun

Law.

1. (in the U.S. federal court system and some state court systems) an appellate court intermediate between the trial courts and the court of last resort.

2. the highest appellate court of New York State.

3. British. Court of Appeal, Supreme Court of Judicature

---

court of appeals Cultural  

1. Courts, also called appellate courts, that are designed as part of the system of due process. Cases may be presented to these courts if a party is dissatisfied with the original court's decision. An appeal must demonstrate that a new decision is warranted, usually in light of new evidence or a persuasive argument that the Constitution was improperly interpreted. A case may be appealed to successively higher state or federal appellate courts until it reaches the United States Supreme Court. There are twelve federal courts of appeal, each covering a group of states called a “circuit.”

---

Etymology

Origin of court of appeals

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

Camp filed a friend-of-the-court brief urging the court of appeals to side with Murrin.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 27, 2026

Karen’s lawyer succeeded in getting an emergency stay at the 11th hour until a court of appeals judge can review her case further.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 19, 2025

They were later acquitted by a court of appeals.

From BBC • Oct. 28, 2025

“Every court of appeals that has considered the question has held that mere exposure to controversial issues in a public-school curriculum does not burden the free religious exercise of parents or students,” they said.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 17, 2025

A supreme court, styled court of appeals, consisting of four judges, one to be elected in each district for eight years, in such rotation that one may be elected every two years.

From The Government Class Book Designed for the Instruction of Youth in the Principles of Constitutional Government and the Rights and Duties of Citizens. by Young, Andrew W.

Related Words

• appeals court
• appellate court