ascend

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verb as·cend \ə-ˈsend\

Definition of ascend

intransitive verb
1a : to move upward the balloon ascendedb : to slope upward The path ascends through the woods.
2a : to rise from a lower level or degree ascend to powerb : to go back in time or in order of genealogical succession
transitive verb
1 : to go or move up ascend a staircase
2 : to succeed to : occupy ascend the throne

ascendable

ascendible

play \-ˈsen-də-bəl\ adjective

See ascend defined for English-language learners

See ascend defined for kids

Examples of ascend in a sentence

They watched their balloons slowly ascend into the sky.
Divers must not ascend too rapidly to the water's surface.
She believed that when she died, her soul would ascend to heaven.
Several paths ascend to the top of the mountain.
stairs ascending to the attic
John Adams ascended to the presidency in 1797.
She worked as a clerk before ascending to her current position.

Origin and Etymology of ascend

Middle English, from Latin ascendere, from ad- + scandere to climb — more at scan

First Known Use: 14th century

ASCEND Defined for English Language Learners

ascend

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verb as·cend \ə-ˈsend\

Definition of ascend for English Language Learners

: to go up : to rise or move toward the sky
: to slope or lead upward
: to rise to a higher or more powerful position in a government, company, etc.

ASCEND Defined for Kids

ascend

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verb as·cend \ə-ˈsend\

Definition of ascend for Students

ascended

;

ascending

1 : to go or move up We ascended the hill.
2 : to rise to a higher or more powerful position Abraham Lincoln ascended to the presidency in 1861.

Word Root of ascend

The Latin word scandere, meaning “to climb,” gives us the root scend. Words from the Latin scandere have something to do with climbing. To ascend is to climb upward. To descend is to climb downward. To transcend is to rise above or climb over something's limits.

Medical Dictionary

ascend

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intransitive verb as·cend \ə-ˈsend\

Medical Definition of ascend

: to move upward: asa: to conduct nerve impulses toward or to the brain nerve fibers that ascend to a nucleus of the brain ascending and descending tractsb: to affect the extremities and especially the lower limbs first and then the central nervous system ascending paralysis