ascent

noun

as·​cent ə-ˈsent 

a-

1

a

: the act of rising or mounting upward : climb

completed their ascent of the mountain

b

: an upward slope or rising grade : acclivity

followed the steep ascent to the top of the hill

c

: the degree of elevation : inclination, gradient

2

: an advance in social status or reputation : progress

their ascent from the lower class to the middle class

3

: a going back in time or upward in order of genealogical succession

Synonyms of ascent

• climb
• ascension

Examples of ascent in a Sentence

They followed a steep ascent to the top of the hill.

our plane broke through some heavy low clouds during its ascent and leveled off once we were above them

Recent Examples on the Web

Their ensuing ascent is defined as much by the tensions between backgrounds, classes and competing ambitions as by the perils of the mountain itself. — Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 16 Sep. 2026

But the benchmark note restarted its ascent overnight, hitting its highest level since 2007. — Alex Harring, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2026

Borgo sees the collection speaking not only to the customer who remembers the brand’s first ascent, but to one drawn to the city and the creative mythology around it. — Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 14 Sep. 2026

Seixas went to the front of the group on the final ascent of the Camillien-Houde, attacking with a few hundred metres of the climb remaining. — Duncan Alexander, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

irregular from ascend

First Known Use

1581, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for ascent

• accent
• advent
• assent
• augment
• cement
• consent
• dement
• descent
• detent
• dissent
• event
• extent

Kids Definition

ascent

noun

as·​cent ə-ˈsent 

a-

1

: the act of rising or climbing up

began their ascent of the mountain

2

: an upward slope