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

That headliner is followed by two scorching ascendants: The Atlanta Dream, surging all the way up to No. 2 on the W’s table, visit the Las Vegas Aces, who have stacked seven consecutive wins. —Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2025

Berg also discusses how Buckley’s musical style – ethereal and poetic – contrasted with the Seattle sound of Nirvana and Pearl Jam ascendant in the 1990s. —Matthew Carey, Deadline, 12 Aug. 2025

Adjective

When Osaka was first ascendant, keeping her toes on the hashmark at the baseline was enough. —Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2025

The 2025 ForbesBLK Summit will continue to serve as the central meeting place for ascendant Black business leaders in America and convene those driving impactful transformations with their world-changing initiatives. —Forbes Press Releases, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025

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

Rhymes for ascendant

• appendant
• attendant
• defendant
• dependant
• dependent
• descendant
• descendent
• intendant
• resplendent
• transcendent
• codefendant
• independent

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