ascend

verb as·cend \ ə-ˈsend \

Updated on: 27 May 2018

intransitive verb

1 a : to move upward

the balloon ascended

b : to slope upward

The path ascends through the woods.

c : to conduct nerve impulses toward or to the brain

an ascending somatosensory pathway

2 a : to rise from a lower level or degree

ascend to power

b : to go back in time or in order of genealogical succession

c : to pass from lower to higher musical notes

C – E ascending

transitive verb

1 : to go or move up

ascend a staircase

2 : to succeed to : occupy

ascend the throne

—

ascendable

or 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.

Recent Examples of ascend from the Web

Although there’s not a lot of elevation change, the trail ascends several knolls for sweet views of eastern Arizona’s White Mountains.

— mare czinar, azcentral, "Arizona hike: Ghost of the Coyote Trail has spooky name, heavenly views," 24 May 2018
How did the Pirates ascend to this point despite not having a program just earlier this decade?

— curt hogg, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "How Pewaukee tennis went from inception to contending for titles in just a few years," 23 May 2018
After one year as the Tide’s backup, Coker ascended to the starting role in 2015.

— paul myerberg, USA TODAY, "10 college quarterback transfers who found success in their new homes," 22 May 2018
On May 22, new magma ascended from below, this time far more quickly, and exploded from the summit, causing a huge mushroom cloud eruption — similar to the kind that Pliny the Elder saw when Mt. Vesuvius exploded in the year 79.

— rong-gong lin ii, latimes.com, "A California volcano once obliterated a forest and propelled ash 280 miles. Experts say it offers a warning," 22 May 2018
Mr Putin ascended to the presidency avowedly intent on restoring the authority of the Kremlin.

— The Economist, "Inside Vladimir Putin’s “mafia state”," 17 May 2018
Thomas ascended to the top spot after finishing in a tie for 11th place at the Players Championship last weekend.

— staff report, courant.com, "World No. 7 Jason Day Joins Loaded Travelers Championship Field," 15 May 2018
Last night, for the very first time, Cardi B ascended the steps of the Metropolitan Museum for Vogue's annual Met Gala.

— jenna rennert, Vogue, "Watch Cardi B Get Ready For Her First Met Gala," 8 May 2018
The star of Rebecca and Suspicion appeared in a stunning, strapless red gown and ascended the escalator to applause — elegant, glamorous and totally in control — to be greeted at the top by a very pleased Mort, ready to escort her in.

— mike kaplan, The Hollywood Reporter, "'Feud,' Olivia de Havilland and the "Bitch" vs. "Dragon Lady" Debate (Guest Column)," 5 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ascend.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of ascend

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

See Words from the same year

ascend Synonyms

ASCEND Defined for English Language Learners

ascend

verb

: 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

verb as·cend \ ə-ˈsend \

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.

Synonym Discussion of ascend

ascend, mount, and climb mean to move upward or toward the top. ascend is used for a gradual upward movement.

- We slowly ascended the staircase.

mount is used for reaching the very top of something.

- Soldiers mounted the hill and placed a flag there.

climb is used when effort and often the hands and feet are needed to move up something.

- Explorers climbed the rugged mountain.

Medical Dictionary

ascend

intransitive verb as·cend \ ə-ˈsend \

: to move upward: as

a : to conduct nerve impulses toward or to the brain

nerve fibers that ascend to a nucleus of the brain

ascending and descending tracts

b : to affect the extremities and especially the lower limbs first and then the central nervous system

ascending paralysis

Learn More about ascend

See words that rhyme with ascend Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for ascend Spanish Central: Translation of ascend Nglish: Translation of ascend for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of ascend for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up ascend? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

ascend

ascendable

Examples of ascend in a Sentence

Recent Examples of ascend from the Web

Origin and Etymology of ascend

ascend Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

Phrases Related to ASCEND

Related Phrases

ASCEND Defined for English Language Learners

ascend

ASCEND Defined for Kids

ascend

Word Root of ascend

Synonym Discussion of ascend

Medical Dictionary

ascend

Learn More about ascend

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

8 Insults Made Up of a Noun and a Verb

'Judicial' v. 'Judicious': We'll Settle The Case

May 2018 Words of the Day Quiz

Trending: Melania Trump Undergoes 'Embolization'

Ghost Word