1
law
: a legal proceeding by which a case is brought before a higher court for review of the decision of a lower court
2
a
: an application (as to a recognized authority) for corroboration, vindication, or decision
b
: an earnest plea : entreaty
an appeal for help
c
: an organized request for donations
the annual fundraising appeal
3
: the power of arousing a sympathetic response : attraction
Movies had a great appeal for him.
4
law
: a criminal accusation
appealed; appealing; appeals
1
: to arouse a sympathetic response
an idea that appeals to him
2
: to make an earnest request
We appealed to them for help.
3
law
: to take a lower court's decision to a higher court for review
4
: to call upon another for corroboration, vindication, or decision
1
law
: to take proceedings to have (a lower court's decision) reviewed in a higher court
2
law
: to charge with a crime : accuse
Synonyms
Examples of appeal in a Sentence
Noun
Her jokes are quickly losing their appeal.
the wide appeal of the artist's work
His appeals to his father for money were ignored.
The mayor made an appeal to the people of the city to stay calm.
We made a donation during the school's annual appeal.
She helped to organize an appeal on behalf of the homeless.
My lawyer said the court's decision wasn't correct and that we should file for an appeal.
Verb
music that appeals to a wide variety of people
The government appealed for calm.
desperate people who are appealing for help
The government appealed to the people to stay calm.
He appealed, arguing that there was not enough evidence to convict him.
She lost the case and appealed the following month.
We plan to appeal the court's decision.
The ruling can be appealed within 30 days.
Recent Examples on the Web
Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 8 Nov. 2024
Love them or hate them, Apple’s peripherals have a distinctive visual appeal, and that’s especially true of the Magic Trackpad.
—PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024
Quartz Bot, Quartz, 8 Nov. 2024
The active participation of a bear drive — her first time attending one — also appealed to her.
—Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 7 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for appeal 
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Noun
In Minnesota, companies offering veteran benefit services or appeal services are required by law to disclose this fact before accepting payment from a veteran.
—Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 8 Nov. 2024
Love them or hate them, Apple’s peripherals have a distinctive visual appeal, and that’s especially true of the Magic Trackpad.
—PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024
Verb
The company has appealed the delisting notice and intends to take measures to regain compliance.
—Quartz Bot, Quartz, 8 Nov. 2024
The active participation of a bear drive — her first time attending one — also appealed to her.
—Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 7 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for appeal
Dictionary Entries Near appeal
Cite this Entry
“Appeal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/appeal. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
appeal
1 of 2 noun
ap·peal
ə-ˈpē(ə)l 
1
: a legal proceeding by which a case is brought to a higher court for review
2
: an asking for something badly needed or wanted : plea
an appeal for help
3
: the power to cause enjoyment : attraction
movies had a great appeal for him
appeal
2 of 2 verb1
: to make a legal appeal
2
: to call upon another for a decision
appealed to the umpire
3
: to ask for something badly needed or wanted
4
: to be pleasing or attractive
the idea appeals to her
Legal Definition
appeal
1 of 2 noun
ap·peal
ə-ˈpēl
: a proceeding in which a case is brought before a higher court for review of a lower court's judgment for the purpose of convincing the higher court that the lower court's judgment was incorrect
also
: a proceeding for the review of an agency decision at a higher level within the agency or in a court see also affirm compare certiorari, new trial, rehearing
Note: The scope of an appeal is limited. The higher court will review only matters that were objected to or argued in the lower court during the trial. No new evidence can be presented on appeal.
appeal
2 of 2 transitive verb
: to take (a lower court's decision) before a higher court for review : undertake an appeal of (a case)
: to take a lower court's decision to a higher court for review
Etymology
Noun
Old French apel, from apeler to call, accuse, appeal, from Latin appellare
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