appellant: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Technical, Legal
Quick answer
What does “appellant” mean?
A person who applies to a higher court to review a decision of a lower court.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who applies to a higher court to review a decision of a lower court.
The party in a legal appeal who initiates the review process. In rare, archaic usage, it can mean 'one who makes a serious request or plea,' but this is obsolete.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The legal process differs, but the term 'appellant' is used identically in both jurisdictions.
Connotations
Identically technical and formal in both UK and US law.
Frequency
Used exclusively in legal contexts in both varieties. The frequency is directly linked to legal proceedings and texts.
Grammar
How to Use “appellant” in a Sentence
The + ADJ + appellant + VERB (argued, submitted, contended)Appellant + VERB + (that) CLAUSEVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “appellant” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [Not applicable; noun only]
American English
- [Not applicable; noun only]
adverb
British English
- [Not applicable]
American English
- [Not applicable]
adjective
British English
- The appellant party submitted new evidence.
- The appellant's grounds were narrowly defined.
American English
- The appellant party filed a brief.
- The appellant's argument was compelling.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, unless in legal/compliance departments discussing litigation.
Academic
Common in Law faculties and legal scholarship.
Everyday
Almost never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
Ubiquitous in legal documents, court judgments, and procedural rules.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “appellant”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “appellant”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “appellant”
- Using 'appellant' to mean anyone who complains or applies for something (e.g., a job applicant).
- Confusing 'appellant' with 'plaintiff' or 'claimant'. The role is defined by the act of appealing, not initiating the original suit.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is almost exclusively a noun in modern English. Its use as an adjective (e.g., 'appellant party') is derived from its noun form.
In appeals, they are often synonymous. However, 'petitioner' has broader use (e.g., filing petitions to various authorities), while 'appellant' is specific to court appeals.
Yes. Any legal entity (individual, corporation, government body) that files an appeal is referred to as the appellant.
No, not in contemporary usage. Its older, general meaning of 'one who makes a plea' is obsolete.
A person who applies to a higher court to review a decision of a lower court.
Appellant is usually formal, technical, legal in register.
Appellant: in British English it is pronounced /əˈpɛlənt/, and in American English it is pronounced /əˈpɛlənt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No specific idioms for this legal term]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a person making an APPEAL. The -ANT suffix indicates they are the one doing it: the APPEAL-ANT.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE LEGAL PROCESS IS A JOURNEY (the appellant is the party seeking to move the case to a higher 'destination' or level).
Practice
Quiz
Who is the appellant in a legal appeal?