ascendant

1 of 2

noun

as·​cen·​dant ə-ˈsen-dənt 

variants or less commonly ascendent

1

: the point of the ecliptic or degree of the zodiac that rises above the eastern horizon at any moment

2

: a state or position of dominant power or importance

3

: a lineal or collateral relative in the ascending line

ascendant

2 of 2

adjective

variants or less commonly ascendent

1

a

: moving upward : rising

b

: directed upward

an ascendant stem

2

a

: superior

b

: dominant sense 1a

ascendantly adverb

Examples of ascendant in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Like the doe-eyed poets of 100 years ago or the fretting journalists of 65 years ago, today the ascendant left rarely champions liberty, instead favoring the new idols of fairness, inclusion and social justice. —Bryan C. Donohue, Baltimore Sun, 17 Apr. 2024

For anyone who came of age in the late nineties and still recalls the moment in which grunge (fading) and pop-punk (ascendant) had a brief but potent sartorial collision, the look of the Guts tour, both onstage and off, will feel deeply familiar. —Amanda Petrusich, The New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English ascendent, from Medieval Latin ascendent-, ascendens, from Latin, present participle of ascendere

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing ascendant

• in the ascendant

Kids Definition

ascendant

1 of 2 noun

as·​cen·​dant ə-ˈsen-dənt 

: a state or position of commanding power

ascendant

2 of 2 adjective

1

: moving up : rising

2

a

: in a superior position

b

: inclined to control

Legal Definition

ascendant

noun

as·​cen·​dant

ə-ˈsen-dənt

: ancestor