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the act or fact of , as to the eye or mind or before the public:
the unannounced appearance of dinner guests; the last appearance of Caruso in Aïda; her first appearance at a stockholders’ meeting.
the state, condition, manner, or style in which a person or object ; outward look or aspect:
a table of antique appearance; a man of noble appearance.
outward show or seeming; semblance:
to avoid the appearance of coveting an honor.
Law. the coming into court of either party to a suit or action.
appearances, outward impressions, indications, or circumstances:
By all appearances, he enjoyed himself.
Philosophy. the sensory, or phenomenal, aspect of existence to an observer.
Archaic. an apparition.
keep up appearances, to maintain a public impression of decorum, prosperity, etc., despite reverses, unfavorable conditions, etc.:
They tried to keep up appearances after losing all their money.
make an appearance, to come; arrive:
He didn’t make an appearance until after midnight.
put in an appearance, to attend a gathering or meeting, especially for a very short time:
The author put in an appearance at the cocktail party on her way to dinner.
Contemporary Examples

Check out Prince William’s Christmas Day appearance in this 12-year-old royal fangirl’s selfie.
Prince William’s Christmas Day Selfie Tom Sykes January 1, 2014

Invisible ink makes an appearance in the complaint as does Morse Code, which, of course, is pretty uncrackable.
Russia Is Laughing at Us Julia Ioffe June 28, 2010

And for those unfamiliar with Presbyterian politics, a very tight vote can certainly give the appearance of momentum.
BDS Loses by Losing Jon Haber July 9, 2012

It was 2006, and she was arriving for an appearance on The Late Show.
Face It—We Rubes Will Never Live Like Gwyneth and Jennifer Aniston Rachel Bertsche July 1, 2014

The majority of these stories are making their first appearance online.
The Best of The Stacks: Mencken, Mel Brooks, Allman Brothers, and More Alex Belth December 26, 2014

Historical Examples

It was in this year that the cholera made its first appearance in Europe.
Tales Of Hearsay Joseph Conrad

I was very much annoyed at the natives not putting in appearance as promised.
Explorations in Australia John Forrest

The appearance of the ke and the arrangement of its bridges are shown in Fig. 17.
A Popular History of the Art of Music W. S. B. Mathews

Bates was a stout sailor, rough in appearance, but with a warm and kindly heart.
Brave and Bold Horatio Alger

You would have thought my appearance was enough to freeze their veins and arteries.
Campfire Girls at Twin Lakes Stella M. Francis

noun
the act or an instance of appearing, as to the eye, before the public, etc
the outward or visible aspect of a person or thing: her appearance was stunning, it has the appearance of powdered graphite
an outward show; pretence: he gave an appearance of working hard
(often pl) one of the outward signs or indications by which a person or thing is assessed: first appearances are deceptive
(law)

the formal attendance in court of a party in an action
formal notice that a party or his legal representative intends to maintain or contest the issue: to enter an appearance

(philosophy)

the outward or phenomenal manifestation of things
the world as revealed by the senses, as opposed to its real nature Compare reality (sense 4)

keep up appearances, to maintain the public impression of wellbeing or normality
put in an appearance, make an appearance, to come or attend briefly, as out of politeness
to all appearances, to the extent that can easily be judged; apparently
n.

late 14c., “visible state or form, figure; mere show,” from Anglo-French apparaunce, Old French aparance “appearance, display, pomp” (13c.), from Latin apparentia, abstract noun from aparentem, past participle of apparere (see appear). Meaning “semblance” is recorded from early 15c.; that of “action of coming into view” is mid-15c. Phrase keep up appearances attested from 1760 (save appearances in same sense is 1711).
see:

keep up appearances
put in an appearance