To appoint someone means to officially choose them for a position or role. When a principal appoints a student as line leader, she's formally selecting that student for the job. When the President appoints someone to be a judge, he's using his authority to place that person in an important government position.

The word carries a sense of official authority: someone with power makes the decision. A teacher might appoint you as class representative, or a coach might appoint a team captain. These aren't elections where everyone votes; they're decisions made by someone in charge.

Once appointed, the person holds that position because of the authority behind the appointment. Supreme Court justices are appointed for life, which means they serve until they retire or pass away. Cabinet members are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.

You might also hear about appointed times or places: “Let's meet at the appointed hour” means meeting at the specific time that was set. An appointment can mean a meeting you've scheduled, like a dentist appointment, or it can refer to the act of appointing someone, like a judge's appointment to the bench.