ascender
noun
as·cend·er
ə-ˈsen-dər 
ˈa-ˌsen-
1
: the part of a lowercase letter (such as b) that rises above the main body of the letter
also
: a letter that has such a part
2
: a device used for climbing rope that slides freely in one direction and grips the rope when pulled in the opposite direction
Examples of ascender in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Mechanical ascenders and descenders, metal climbing devices that help climbers up and down the rope, require a backup system in case of failure.
—
Calin Van Paris, Outside, 19 Mar. 2026
Around dusk, the two climbers attached mechanical ascenders to it and, hanging upside down like tree sloths, made the long, slow traverse to my platform.
—Robert Moor, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
This precious cargo launched aboard the ascender on June 3 and met up with the mission's orbiter a few days later.
—Andrew Jones, Space.com, 29 Sep. 2025
Renfrow was an early ascender in May’s offseason training activities.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 30 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ascender
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Calin Van Paris, Outside, 19 Mar. 2026
Around dusk, the two climbers attached mechanical ascenders to it and, hanging upside down like tree sloths, made the long, slow traverse to my platform.
—Robert Moor, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
This precious cargo launched aboard the ascender on June 3 and met up with the mission's orbiter a few days later.
—Andrew Jones, Space.com, 29 Sep. 2025
Renfrow was an early ascender in May’s offseason training activities.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 30 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ascender
Cite this Entry
“Ascender.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ascender. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.
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