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

Friday’s 244km (151 miles) day was the longest Grand Tour stage in five years, featuring 4,467 metres of climbing — no Grand Tour stage over 240km since 2000 had featured more ascent. —Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 15 May 2026

The film tracks Lean’s remarkable progress to the peak of the medium – an extremely unlikely ascent for multiple reasons. —Matthew Carey, Deadline, 12 May 2026

The ascent of Alphabet marks stunning a reversal. —Ryan Vlastelica, Fortune, 10 May 2026

The guitar riff is already there, in all its blunt efficiency, and so is the seductive three-note ascent of the chorus. —Andy Cush, Pitchfork, 9 May 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