ascension

noun

as·​cen·​sion ə-ˈsen(t)-shən How to pronounce ascension (audio)
: the act or process of ascending

Examples of ascension in a Sentence

The play tells of his ascension to the presidency. the ascension of women in society
Recent Examples on the Web The Baltimore Orioles’ ascension from the ashes of irrelevance has rejuvenated a once moribund franchise who were regular cellar dwellers in the American League East. Wayne G. McDonnell, Jr., Forbes, 19 Feb. 2024 Furphy’s ascension has been the story of the season for the Jayhawks. Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 4 Feb. 2024 His ascension only came after a corruption scandal that revealed years of bribery, vote-buying and secret deals in soccer. Tariq Panja, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2024 In the decades before Modi’s ascension as prime minister, India’s supreme court was both powerful and combative. Vaibhav Vats, The Atlantic, 3 Feb. 2024 Unfortunately, the incredible ascension of his star pupil piques his estranged twin brother’s interest. John Hopewell, Variety, 24 Jan. 2024 The date marks the anniversary of her own ascension to the throne in 1972, following the death of her father, King Frederik IX. Andrea Vacchiano, Fox News, 31 Dec. 2023 Much of the GOP’s softening toward Russia is owed to a near-total reversal in rhetoric from right-wing media personalities and outlets, prompted in large part by Donald Trump’s ascension to power in GOP politics. Oliver Darcy, CNN, 21 Feb. 2024 Those ideas bubbled up from right-wing think tanks into the halls of power, culminating in the Abraham Accords. Administration officials began laying the groundwork for that epochal shift in regional dynamics within weeks of Trump’s ascension to power. Noah Rothman, National Review, 2 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ascension.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin ascension-, ascensio, from ascendere

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ascension was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near ascension

Cite this Entry

“Ascension.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ascension. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

ascension

noun
as·​cen·​sion ə-ˈsen-chən How to pronounce ascension (audio)
: the act or process of ascending

Geographical Definition

Ascension

geographical name

As·​cen·​sion ə-ˈsen(t)-shən How to pronounce Ascension (audio)
isolated island in the South Atlantic belonging to the British colony of Saint Helena area 34 square miles (88 square kilometers), population 1400

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